Italy’s National Health Fund at <6.5% GDP risks universal care. Regional spending gaps and professional shortages underscore concerns; proposed solutions aim to counteract these challenges.
The planned National Health Fund (NHF) in Italy for 2024–25, estimated at less than 6.5% of GDP, sparks concern as the nation faces the highest percentage of individuals aged 65 and older in Europe. A significant gap exists between public investment and private healthcare spending, particularly in northern regions, risking the core principle of universalism. To tackle these challenges, the authors propose allocating over 7% of GDP to public health expenditure and incremental funding for regions below performance standards, contingent on innovative policies.
The shortage of healthcare professionals, driven by NHF underfunding, is emphasized, with potential implications for healthcare accessibility. The authors express worry about the growing influence of the private sector, potentially exacerbating health inequalities in Italy and undermining the principle of universal healthcare access.
