Session 8

Private equity in healthcare

Curse or cure for public healthcare systems?

This session examines the growing role of private capital in European healthcare systems and its implications for solidarity, equity, and long-term sustainability. Across Europe, healthcare providers, infrastructure, and services are increasingly attracting investment from a range of financial actors, including private equity firms, investment funds, institutional investors, and other private financing mechanisms. While proponents argue that such investments can mobilise much-needed capital, support innovation,and enhance efficiency, critics warn that certain forms of financialisation may contribute to cost escalation, service fragmentation, workforce pressures, reduced transparency, and a shift in priorities from patient outcomes towards financial returns.

The session will explore the central question: Does private capital strengthen or undermine solidarity-based European health systems and under what governance conditions should the European Union (EU) act? 

Grounded in emerging European evidence and recent research, the discussion will move beyond a simplistic “for or against” framing. Instead, it will examine where different forms of private investment may create value, where risks arise, and what regulatory and governance approaches are needed to safeguard public interests. Featuring perspectives from policymakers, researchers, healthcare stakeholders, and representatives of the investment community, the session aims to identify where consensus exists, where tensions remain, and what policy responses are required to protect solidarity-based healthcare systems in Europe.