Health is one of the fundamental pillars on which the European social model is based, forming one of the characteristic elements of the European society differentiating it from any other in the world. However, when the country’s health country is examined, considerable diversity of situations is observed as there are countries that respond to the model of financing health care through taxes, while others have favored financing through contributions to Social Security.
This article discusses the fact that the health systems of the member countries of the European Union have very diverse characteristics. The Treaty on the Functioning of the EU establishes that it corresponds to the Member States the organization, financing and management of their health systems. However, the Community institutions have mechanisms to encourage coordination and convergence of healthcare models.
José Isaías Rodríguez, Advisor at LLORENTE & CUENCA Spain
