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Crossing borders: A critical review of the role of the European Court of Justice in EU health policy

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  • Brooks, Eleanor

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the European Union (EU) has steadily increased its involvement in the health policies of its member states, with considerable support from the European Court of Justice (ECJ). However, much of the literature examining the Court's role has focused upon the intersection between internal market law and the health services sector; the majority of studies have failed to examine the potential role for the Court in public health policy. Observers such as Greer have seen the development of healthcare as a clear case of neofunctional spillover, a view supported but qualified by Wasserfallen and others, who present a more detailed account of the mechanics of the process. Alternative analyses have focused upon the new modes of governance, soft law and other factors – this article reviews the current state of research in the field and the extent to which it should concern health policy actors and non-specialists in EU policy alike. It concludes that the Court has played and continues to play a crucial role in the development of EU public health policy, as well as in health services and broader social policy, where its influence has already been well documented.

Suggested Citation

  • Brooks, Eleanor, 2012. "Crossing borders: A critical review of the role of the European Court of Justice in EU health policy," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(1), pages 33-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:105:y:2012:i:1:p:33-37
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2011.12.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frischhut, Markus & Levaggi, Rosella, 2015. "Patient mobility in the context of austerity and an enlarged EU: The European Court of Justice's ruling in the Petru Case," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(10), pages 1293-1297.
    2. Diesenreiter, Carina & Österle, August, 2021. "Patients as EU citizens? The implementation and corporatist stakeholders’ perceptions of the EU cross-border health care directive in Austria," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(11), pages 1498-1505.

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