Open method of coordination

In December 2001, the European Commission agreed upon an analysis of health care provision in the EU and identified three common objectives for all systems throughout the Union: access to health care, quality and sustainability. This agreement exemplifies the increasing importance of social policy within the EU. Due to European Monetary Union, social security is no longer a matter of national interest only. In order to support reforms in the member states, the EU wants to introduce the political instrument called »open method of coordination«, known from other areas like old-age pensions, into the field of health care. But how will open method of coordination look like in the area of health care ? What are the main targets for reform? Are the European activities sufficient? These questions were discussed on a seminar held by the Independent Junior Research Group of the Max-Planck-Institute for Foreign and International Social Law. This edition gives reference of opinions from different players in the area of health care: from public and private insurance funds, public authorities and scientific institutions. Prof. Dr. Yves Jorens was then Head of the Group. He is now Professor for European Social Security Law in Ghent, Belgium.