The 2027 budget law arrives not without controversy from unions, students, regions and the opposition due to cuts to healthcare, schools and pensions. On the topic of healthcare, there is a lot of discussion about cuts, which are not really cuts but a lack of increase, defined as “unsustainable” by various centre-left regions. These had signed a letter for a different approach, not only of recovery but also of investment. Instead, the difference between what was requested and what was allocated reaches 7 billion. Thus the Regions may not be able to complete the work on the waiting lists, make hires or adjust salaries.
The text could still change, but within limits. The maneuver reaches the Chamber with a cost of 26 billion euros. Now we get to the heart of the hearings, which are scheduled from 9 to 12 November, with amendments by the 17th and a dowry of only 120 million euros.
Maneuver, 2.4 billion more for healthcare
The health fund grows by 2.4 billion euros with the new budget law, reaching 146.3 billion (+1 billion already expected) for 2027. This is a growing expense, but unfortunately it is not enough.
Specifically:
- 2,365 million euros for the year 2027;
- 2,352 million euros for the year 2028;
- 2,399 million euros per year starting from the year 2029.
According to several regional presidents, the figure is not enough and is less than half of the 6.8 billion euros requested for a necessary adjustment of the fund.
What are the health measures
Part of the increase will be used for measures such as the revision of the maximum rates for the remuneration of hospital care services for acute patients. Furthermore, from 1 January 2027 the gross annual spending limits will be increased by 380 million euros to allocate more resources to the allowances provided for medical managers and staff in the healthcare sector.
The spending ceiling for medical devices also rises, with the State covering 1.4 billion of the 4 billion owed by companies for the 2019-2023 payback.
No less important there is also a 300 euro card for those over 75 with pensions or disability allowances of up to 28,000 euros for healthcare expenses.
More money, but it’s not enough
The presidents of six Regions sent a joint letter to the president of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces to request the urgent convening of the body. These are the Regions of Tuscany, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, Campania, Umbria and Sardinia, which ask to address the critical issues of the financial law regarding the protection of the public health system.
The governors write that the 300 euro voucher measure for the over 75s should be stopped and the expected allocation of 1.6 billion euros should be allocated to public hospitals.
The National Federation of Medical Associations is also negative on the healthcare item of the Maneuver. President Filippo Anelli writes: Responses from the maneuver are still insufficient.”
While the Regions asked for an additional 18 billion over three years, in 2027 alone they will receive 2.4 billion which will cover increases in energy costs, but will not allow other interventions such as the reduction of waiting lists, hiring and salaries, which remain unanswered.
Anelli is instead positive about the intervention for the elderly which “could contribute to making access to services effective, especially for those who have greater economic difficulties”.
