The European Union health policy as a term is a complex concept. On one hand, member states have always emphasized the importance of nationally focused health systems and health policies, which is directly evident in the fundamental treaties of the European Union, but on the other hand the interests among member states overlap where there is common interest for a greater harmonisation, cooperation and common action on the European Union level. This phenomenon means a window of opportunity for supranational cooperation regarding a common health policy while losing a certain level of national sovereignty of each member state. Thus the understanding of a common health policy becomes particularly challenging, as there is yet no common strategy based on comprehensive legislation for a potential implementation of such a common policy. The European Union health policy as we know it is merely a cluster of goals and instruments among which are also those that at first glance do not really pursue health-policy related goals. In my master's thesis I have outlined the conceptual framework of the European Union health policy by reviewing its fundamental treaties and other related literature. I identify the key actors and their competences and highlight challenges which the European Union health policy will be facing in the future.
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