Quo Vadis EU Health Policy? – An Insight into Intersections and Synergies Between 2021-2027 EU Health and Cohesion Targets

A plethora of health targets is deeply embedded into the 2021-2027 EU Cohesion Policy, the principal EU investment tool responsible for promoting the economic, social, and territorial convergence of the EU Member States and their regions. Developing and pursuing actions that advocate the EU’s overall harmonious development and strengthen its cohesion is the EU’s legal obligation stipulated by Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU). This research looks into the intrinsic features of the health and cohesion intersections within the 2021-2027 legislative framework governing the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) through which the Cohesion Policy is delivered. More precisely, it assesses the anticipated evolution of the EU health schemes based on the 10-year cohesion agenda, which underpins the five horizontal political objectives of creating a more competitive and smarter Europe, a greener Europe, a more connected Europe, a more social and inclusive Europe, and a Europe closer to citizens. Special emphasis is put on reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations, and public authorities within the health sector, as a vital link in the chain of designing and enhancing a more competitive and smarter Europe. In addition, the aim of the research is to demonstrate the necessity of establishing close synergies between the EU Cohesion Policy and other EU instruments which contribute to mainstreaming the health protection aspects in all EU activities, as regulated by Articles 9 and 168 of the TFEU. The investment architecture designated to establish a high level of health protection in the EU is illustrated by the example of the Republic of Croatia’s 2021-2027 programming documents and the related legislative package. The research is based on the legal-dogmatic method as it examines current positive law, doctrine, concepts, and practice addressing elements of the multi-layered cohesion-health arrangements pertinent to the 2021-2027 investment goals.