Health Policies and Economic Blocks

This paper analyzes the roles of health goods and services markets within the regional integration process. It is a known fact that the consolidation of integrated markets is slower regarding social goods and services (as health and education) than among other goods and services (e.g. durable and non-durable consumption goods). The paper discusses the nature of the health sector and its global dimension, showing the peculiar features of health goods and services marked by economic complexity and (according to Arrow) information asymmetry. Despite that, the paper emphasizes old and new reasons that place health as a prerequisite to commercial integration. It approaches the role played by the State in health financing, provision and regulation and the commercial integration process.