Health Care and Its Financing in the Single European Market

Health care and its financing will not be harmonized within the European Union (EU). Therefore, the differences between the health systems of the member-states in a Single European Market are gaining in relevance. The process of economic integration also effects health. This book integrates economics, law, social, political and health sciences in the analysis of health care issues in the EU. It covers the development of health systems and policy in the community, the markets for pharmaceuticals and for medical devices, EU-trends in hospital financing, issues in the comparison of financing systems, especially in the field of private expenditures, reforms of health care financing in social security systems and national health services in the EU and cross-border health care between EU member-states. The results feature an up-to date overview on the European dimension of health care and its financing. The book is relevant to experts in health care organizations, policy, industry and research.