B Solutions as a Diagnostic Tool for Improving Crossborder Health Systems, Access to Patient Services and Population Health : Insights from Published Cases 2018-2023

Mullan, Caitriona (2024) B Solutions as a Diagnostic Tool for Improving Crossborder Health Systems, Access to Patient Services and Population Health : Insights from Published Cases 2018-2023. JOURNAL OF ADVANCED STUDIES ON BORDERS COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT. pp. 38-54. ISSN 3057-9872

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Abstract

This research paper examines the b-solutions initiative as a diagnostic tool for identifying and resolving the legal and administrative hurdles that prevent the development of resilient cross-border health systems. Framing healthcare as a fundamental human right, the author notes that while 30% of the EU population resides in border regions, these citizens often face "invisible deterrents" to care, such as complex reimbursement procedures and pricing differentials that can leave patients financially disadvantaged. By synthesizing cases from 2018 to 2023, the research highlights how minor regulatory discrepancies, such as differing national definitions of emergency vehicles or specialized medical terms, can lead to significant safety issues and service limitations. The analysis underscores the intersectionality of healthcare with the broader EU agenda, particularly regarding labour mobility and the Single Market; for instance, frontier workers require seamless coordination between national insurance systems to manage everything from initial registration to the certification of sickness for benefit entitlements. The b-solutions empowers Member States to exercise äctive subsidiarity," using tailored bilateral agreements to maintain the sustainability of local facilities, such as cross-border hospitals that rely on joint patient catchments to remain viable. Ultimately, the study concludes that these local applications of EU-level frameworks are essential for creating a "whole-of-society" approach to health that ensures European integration provides tangible benefits to all citizens, regardless of their proximity to national centres.

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