This book now examines, for the first time, the systems that have been put in place in all of the European Union’s 27 Member States. The picture it paints is mixed. Some have well developed systems, setting standards based on the best available evidence, monitoring the care provided, and taking action where it falls short. Others need to overcome significant obstacles.

The European Union has only limited ability to take action on health care but if free movement of Europe’s citizens is to become a reality, an essential measure would be to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to ensure high quality care, even if the approaches taken will vary according to local circumstances. This requires a dialogue between those responsible for funding and providing health care in Europe. This book contributes to this important process.

The authors
Helena Legido-Quigley is a Research Fellow in Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
Professor Martin McKee is Professor of European Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Research Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
Dr Ellen Nolte is Senior Lecturer, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Senior Research Fellow, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
Irene A Glinos is a researcher at the Observatoire Social Européen, Brussels, and the University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands.