The European Union is converging dynamically. At the latest since the signing of the Treaties of Amsterdam (1997) and Nice (2001), important core areas of national sovereignty see themselves being subject to at least partial "Europeanisation". Accompanying this transformation actively and attentively is an important challenge for all members of the German parliament and government, as well as others involved in the social insurance system.
No one doubts today that social and health policy will continue to remain in the hands of the national governments of the Member States. This is set down in the principle of subsidiarity, according to which decisions regarding structural organisation are always to be met primarily by the Member States themselves and not dictated by the EU. On the other hand, actual practice shows that it is becoming increasingly necessary to coordinate the various nations' objectives, strategies and activities at the transnational level, in order to make the best use of scarce funds and thus ensure insured persons an optimal standard of care.
In their efforts to coordinate their social agendas, one of the issues at stake for the EU Member States is that of the future "social identity" of Europe in general. Key values such as social justice, solidarity and the availability of high-quality social services to all citizens must continue to be preserved, even in the context of 25 and more Member States. If this is not achieved, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights cannot be infused with life.
