| Abstract [eng] |
This thesis covers the topic of EU integration in health care field based on the COVID-19. Academics are using two main integration theories to explain increasing EU role in supervisory and reglementary powers: liberal intergovernmentalism and neofunkcionalism. Though the theories have the same goal, they differ in their approach and factors, constituting EU’s integration. The first one, emphasizes the role of member states and their preferences as a driving force for the integration. If the forum of member states see the outweighed benefit of having supranational institution in place to coordinate actions at a higher level, using EU as a forum to solve common problems. The latter theory focuses more on the fact that member states dealing with similar problems solve them via institutionalisation. Common problems happen due to high interdependence between member states and having supranational institution, which supervises the solution of common problems yields better results. Additionally, neofunkcionalism using a term, called spillover, which explains the increasing integration in EU from one sector to another. In simple terms, seeing the benefit brought by the integration in one area, political elites and institutions push for further integration in other domains. Interestingly, review of existing academic literature on potential EU integration in health care sector lacks review of already existing changes in financing of health care sector from the perspective of EU, inter alia the comparison of EU’s actions towards health care crisis management during previous pandemic – influenza N1H1. Besides that, usually bottom-up approach is not considered when one utilises these theoretical premises but public opinion can matter severely when it comes to decision making and preferences of political leaders in regards to the EU integration. This particular research poses the question of how EU integration is already changing in the light of current events after dealing with COVID-19 health care crisis.[...] This highlights the aim of this study, which is to explain whether we can already see any integration happening in EU in the health care field. Thesis is based on two main hypothesis: (1) increased financing in health care domain (at least by 50 %) shows EU’s move towards integration in the health care sector and the (2) higher involvement in solving COVID-19 crisis compared to EU’s involvement in solving N1H1 pandemic, shows increased move towards EU’s integration. [..] In conclusion, from the perspective of EU’s actions, financing plans, comparison with previous same type crisis and recommendations proposed by EU citizens, as well as the actions already implemented by the EU, we can see an integrational shift towards having a more unified strategy towards health care. Research itself has its own limitations, starting with the fact that each member states’ political preferences were not examined, as well as the fact that there are other suitable theories to explain EU integration. In light of additional data, review of more endogenous or exogenous factors, coupled with other variables, like Euroscepticism, there is a need to further this research. All in all, even though that there are other aspects to investigate, in order to confirm the integration of EU in health care field, EU is on track “to pave the way to a European Health Union”. |
