2.K. Round table: Everything you always wanted to know about (COVID-19 and) EU-health policy

Abstract Objective There is no European Union (EU) health system but there is an EU health policy and this health policy is rapidly changing due to the COVID-19 responses of the EU and Member States. The aim of this panel discussion is to analyze and put into context the rapid evolvement of EU health policy during the pandemic. This panel discussion will therefore focus on 1) EU public health policy 2) EU action for health 3) the EU Market shaping health 4) the fiscal governance 5) the institutions, processes and powers. Background EU health policy has often been overlooked and was never on the political agenda. COVID-19 and the pandemic response, however, changed this dramatically. EU-health policy has become centre stage followed by bold investments and new regulatory initiatives. Obvious examples are the EU4Heatlth programme, the Recovery and Resilience fund, the new agency HERA, the new remit for the European Medicines Agency and the European Center for Disease Control. There are also new European Commission mechanisms with regards to the purchase of personal protective equipment, supplies, medicines including vaccines and medical technologies. But will the new EU health policy strengthen health systems of Member States or just focus on stronger emergency responses? Will the constitutional asymmetry between health and internal market be addressed? Will EU-health policy remain after the crisis a centre-piece of European Integration? This panel is based on the COVID-19 update of the EU-health policy handbook ‘Everything you always wanted to know about European Union health policies but were afraid to ask' Interactivity There will be a high level of interactivity. After an introductory presentation, attendees can use the chat-box to choose specific topics from the aforementioned five themes. These topics will be presented in a table. The chair will then pass the questions and topics to the panelists. Speakers/Panelists Sarah Rozenblum University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Holly Jarman University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Nick Fahy University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Anniek de Ruijter University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands Eleanore Brooks University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Key messages The European Health Union will be one of the most important constitutional and policy outcomes of the pandemic. It is essential that the European Health Union is not only strengthening emergency planning and response but also accessibility, equity and resilience of health systems.