Should there be a push for more integration in EU health policy?

Perhaps what can be described as an asymmetric response to the pandemic by the EU is to be blamed. As observed in different instances throughout the world, prompt and coordinated action in imposing restrictions for instance, has proven to be effective. However, single countries can inarguably have a stronger grip on these matters thanks to intrinsic State sovereignty. The problem arose when the time came for Europe to attempt to coordinate and fight back. Understandably, country after country adopted its own countermeasures according to the opinion of its experts, and shortly after, Europe went into lockdown. Every Member State had its own plan and way out of the pandemic. We found countries such as Italy adopting stringent measures and hard lockdowns which allowed for the achievement of rather good results⁴ in containing the spread of the virus, and others like Sweden adopting a completely different approach and results.⁵ The shutting down of borders out of concern for the general population only aggravated the situation, putting a strain on the national health system, and the absence of a framework for proper response could be partially blamed for the outcome. Having country-specific pandemic plans as a frame of reference did not allow for coordination and transparency. While some MS have been praised for their resolve in dealing with the pandemic, the absence of a common plan remains a huge gap to fill. In fact, the WHO Regional Director for Europe pointed out: "We can’t allow another pandemic to bring the world to its knees and must do everything in our power to prevent a catastrophe on the same scale from happening again."⁶ Thus, what are the options available?

This extremely ambitious reform could prove difficult to implement. It would entail lengthy work and require the entire Union to simultaneously make a great step forward in its integration process. However, integration requires common interest as its main driver.¹⁰ In this regard, we can only hope that the imminency of increasingly serious threats to come¹¹, will prompt the necessary change. The gravity of the current situation, however, might not provide us with enough time to initiate this process. Echoing the words of WHO Regional Director of Europe, it must be recognized that: "a significant obstacle has been reluctance on the part of governments to share decision-making powers or to agree shared governance arrangements for the benefit of all. It’s time to learn some important lessons so we don’t make the same mistakes again."¹²

This pandemic is providing us with a priceless opportunity to evaluate and improve the European public health policy sphere. While a radical redesign of competences might be farfetched, it is undeniable that coordination should at least be legally enhanced. The crises that we have been facing are of different scope and nature; and adopting a more proactive stance on the matter might be the right way to face the issues that the future holds.