Yes, historic reasons are relevant. However it drives some alignment. Among other things for new members chapter 19 of the enlargement negotions covers differen

Yes, historic reasons are relevant. However it drives some alignment. Among other things for new members chapter 19 of the enlargement negotions covers different aspects. Thus in order to join some aspects have to be changed in different countries and U.S. won't be able to join (of course U.S. is failing the initial test if being an "European" country in first place) And yes, there is quite some freedom, as British didn't want to replace the NHS, while Germany wants to keep their complex system, with private and public insurances and the assistance for state servants and all that ...