Italy’s Conference of Regions has called for more funding for the national health service and for greater freedom to use the money already allocated. The regions had requested an additional €6.5 billion, but the budget provides €2.4 billion, alongside €1 billion allocated in the previous budget. Regional leaders say the shortfall amounts to cuts as costs continue to rise.
The national health fund is set to reach about €146 billion in 2027, but the increase is expected to fall short of the cost of providing services. Regional estimates underline the gap: Veneto expected to receive €552 million from the requested additional funding, based on an 8.5% share, but is set to receive about €204 million instead—a shortfall of roughly €348 million. Lombardy has also reported a funding gap of nearly €500 million.
Tuscany estimates that its health fund will rise by about €200 million in 2027, while additional cost increases of around €600 million are expected to remain uncovered. Regions had requested €3.48 billion to offset the impact of inflation; the government has allocated €138 million, about 4% of that amount.
Regional leaders are also seeking to remove restrictions that tie funding to specific uses. Emilia-Romagna president Michele De Pascale said only €800 million of the allocated resources is freely available, with the rest earmarked for measures including Alzheimer’s care, support for older people who are not self-sufficient, emergency department staffing and innovative medicines. In Emilia-Romagna, he said, just over €62 million will be unrestricted and available to help cover costs such as inflation.
A further proposal is to scrap a €300 healthcare voucher for people over 75 with annual pensions of up to €28,000. The voucher is intended to pay for services not covered by the national health service. De Pascale proposed transferring its full €1.6 billion allocation to public healthcare instead.
Sources: ANSA Politica.