Healthcare Services, the EU Single Market and Beyond: Meeting Local Needs in an Open Economy – How Much Market or How Little Market?

Abstract:

This article considers the impact of the choices made by the Member States in designing the institutional and regulatory concerning taxpayer-funded health services on the applicability of the EU single market and competition rules and on the public procurement legal regime.

It will focus on the different approaches adopted in the United Kingdom in England and Wales as opposed to Scotland.

The article will conclude by looking at some of the issues that could arise from the implementation of common commercial policy initiatives undertaken by the Union: taking into consideration the ongoing negotiation of the EU/US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), it will consider whether liberalizing trade in services may imperil the solidarity-based nature of healthcare that is typical of the EU Member States.