COVID-19 will result in limited EU health integration

Significance

COVID-19 is by far the EU's worst health crisis and it has spurred fresh proposals for integration. The European Commission has announced plans to strengthen the management of cross-border threats, enhance the EU’s role and influence in health-related markets, and provide greater financial support for national health systems and health-related research.

Impacts

• Deeper EU fiscal integration would probably come with stronger recommendations concerning national health systems.
• This pandemic will exacerbate the divergences in healthcare quality and access across the EU.
• The COVID-19 crisis will strengthen efforts to create an industrial strategy which enhances manufacturing competitiveness across the bloc.