Outcry in defense of public health that the President of the Republic himself, Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the Festival delle Regioni in Turin he described it as "a precious heritage, to be defended and adapted". A clear message that is addressed to the Government which, as per tradition, has chosen to cut resources allocated to healthcare in order to find funds to finance the Budget Maneuver. Nothing strange, it has always been done, many will think. But this is a decision that comes after the pandemic Covid-19 which has shown all the shortcomings of our National Health System, clashes with the numerous declarations and infinite proclamations made to date. Even more so since the Minister of Health of the current Executive, Orazio Schillaci had asked for 4 billion of additional resources, finding themselves instead having to face new cuts. In detail, in the Nadef it is expected that the health expenditure/GDP ratio, which in 2023 is 6,6%, will fall to 2024% in 6,2 and to 2026% in 6,1.
The wrath of the Governors
Mattarella's words reassured the hearts of the Governors, who were strongly irritated by the Government's forecasts. Among the most controversial are some of the major representatives of the right, strongly opposed to new cuts to healthcare.
“The civilization of a country is measured in particular by its health services, even if it is not an easy time for public finances. The Italian healthcare model is unique in the world and there are factors that cannot be taken into consideration at this stage: the costs of defensive medicine, inflation, the need to keep the technological park updated", said the governor of Veneto , Luca Zaia.
The president of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Northern League member Massimiliano Fedriga he tries to be a little more conciliatory: “In 2023 there were no cuts, we are waiting for the final document. The resources on which we will insist are not enough – she said – we must also address the problem of a change in the organization of the healthcare system. In my Region, 70% of people who go to the emergency room are non-serious cases that could be followed elsewhere and the number of inappropriate services is very high."
“Mattarella said in an impeccable manner what both the presidents of the Regions, regardless of political colour, and the Italian citizens think. The effort on financing the health system must be as important as possible", declared the president of the Calabria Region, the Forza Italia supporter. Roberto Occhiuto. The Head of State, he highlighted, "also talks about adapting the healthcare system". Reforms are also needed to strengthen local assistance and facilitate the recruitment of doctors. We often talk about the privatization of healthcare and in the meantime the job market in the healthcare professions has been privatised, because many Italian doctors resign and go to work for a fee in cooperatives. So a doctor who used to cost 6 or 7.000 euros a month now costs 50.000."
The Governor of Puglia is very harsh, Michele Emiliano: “Without a sudden increase in the national fund of at least 4 billion euros, our healthcare system, the flagship of our social and political system, seriously risks default. Without funds we will no longer be able to make the necessary staff hires or shorten the waiting lists." Puglia, he adds, has made a bet: "In 2024 we will inaugurate two new hospitals, but we need funds to support this commitment".
“The Nadef is another cold shower on citizens' right to health: once again cash is being made on public health. Our country, already at the bottom of Europe in terms of healthcare spending, is slipping even further down”, said the President of Emilia Romagna Stefano Bonaccini, while The president of Tuscany Eugenio Giani he asked the government for concrete answers: “I have been going forward for three years with a state health fund which for Tuscany this year is worth 7 billion and 593 million. In the end, however, the necessary expenditure is still over 8 billion. And we have to cover it every time with the ordinary budget, taking away from sport, culture, public transport and education."
