THE FUTURE OF HEALTH-CARE IN 6 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES - THE VIEWS OF POLICY ELITES

A recent study was made of the views of politicians, representatives o f trade unions, business organizations, and others likely to be influe ntial in policy making, on the future of health care provision in six European Union (E.U.) countries. This article discusses the findings. While common problems of rising cost resulting from population aging a re recognized in ail countries, the way these issues are interpreted a nd the policies seen as appropriate to tackle them differ. Views are s trongly influenced by the organizational structure of existing provisi on, This supports the ''new institutionalist'' view that policy feedba ck plays an important role in shaping policy reform. It also indicates that the potential for convergence in E.U. social policy is more limi ted than suggestions that the single European market will lead to an ' 'ever closer union'' might imply.