Ensuring affordable access to healthcare for everyone in the European Union:what gaps remain and how can the EU support Member States to overcome them?

European Union (EU) Member States have made multiple commitments to progress towards universal health coverage (UHC), so that everyone can access quality healthcare without experiencing financial hardship. Yet, significant gaps in all three dimensions of health coverage (population coverage, user charges, and benefits packages) remain. This article highlights some of these gaps, looks at how access to healthcare has been addressed through the EU’s socioeconomic governance and funding instruments, and suggests ways in which the EU can further support national progress towards UHC.