The annual increases in the National Health Fund “are not sufficient to cover all the measures envisaged”. Consequently, “the Regions, in order to achieve the objectives set out in the 2025 Budget Law for healthcare, will be “forced to choose which side to draw a blanket that is too short” and “will have to make drastic choices: rationalize spending, cut other services or increase the additional Irpef”. This is how Nino Cartabellotta, president of the Gimbe Foundation, comments on the analysis of the funding allocated to healthcare by the Budget.
For example, according to the analysis, measures for a total of 2,372 million are expected in 2026, without considering the ancillary treatment and refinancing of the collective bargaining fund for staff. In relation to measures to reduce waiting lists, a further increase in the spending ceiling for the purchase of healthcare services from accredited private individuals is expected, which will grow by 0.5% for 2025 (61.5 million) and by 1 % from 2026 (123 million). Furthermore, rewards are introduced for the Regions that respect the criteria on the Essential Levels of Assistance on the waiting lists, with 50 million in 2025 and 100 million from 2026.
Other spending provisions concern the implementation of the 2025-2029 Pandemic Plan, which provides 50 million for 2025, 150 million for 2026 and 300 million per year from 2027. For palliative care, an increase of 10 million per year is expected from 2025, which is added to the 100 million from the Fund. Health services offered by therapeutic communities under the interregional mobility regime will receive 15 million per year starting from 2025.
Finally, 50 million per year are expected for addiction-related pathologies from 2025. Although public health is today “the country’s real emergency”, concludes Cartabellotta, “no progressive relaunch of public financing is in sight” which, after the flare-up of 2026, “provides only crumbs” and “returns to routine maintenance figures from the pre-pandemic era”.
Gimbe, 1.3 billion for healthcare in 2025 and not the 3.5 announced
“The ‘cosmetics’ on the National Health Fund for 2025 largely betrays the Executive’s proclamations: the real increase is only 1.3 billion, compared to the 3.5 billion announced, making it impossible to satisfy the requests of health professionals, who in fact have already announced a strike for November 20th.” This is explained by the Gimbe Foundation which speaks of “misleading figures” and “faced with the whirlwind of numbers, often interpreted subjectively or exploited”, has conducted an independent analysis on healthcare funding in view of the parliamentary discussion on the Budget Law . With the 2025 budget, the National Health Fund will reach 136,533 million in 2025, 140,595 million in 2026 and 141,131 million in 2027.
However, “the resources, mainly intended for the contractual renewals of staff, will not allow the implementation of the extraordinary hiring plan desired by the Minister of Health Schillaci, nor to eliminate the spending ceiling for healthcare personnel, contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Decree Lists of wait”. According to the Budget Law, the Health Fund in 2025 will grow by 2.5 billion (+1.9%), of which 1.3 with the new Budget Law, which are added to the 1.2 billion of the previous budget.
“But the ways in which they are presented for subsequent years – explains President Gimbe Nino Cartabellotta – are misleading” and “the figures up to 2030 indicate the cumulative increase of the Fund and not the specific allocations for each year”. For the years after 2025, the actual increases foreseen by the Budget are: 4 billion in 2026 (+3%), 536 million in 2027 (+0.4%), 883 million in 2028 (+0.6%), 1,062 million in 2029 (+0.7%) and almost 1.2 billion from 2030 (+0.8%). “Consequently – comments Cartabellotta – despite the announcements, no progressive relaunch of the Fund is envisaged, leaving the National Health Service with insufficient resources to address the growing needs of citizens and professionals”.
The National Health Fund: A Blanket That Doesn’t Quite Cover It!
Now, let’s talk about the National Health Fund. Apparently, it’s in a bit of a financial pickle. According to Nino Cartabellotta, the president of the Gimbe Foundation—who one might say has the audacity of a bloke who just found out the pantry’s bare while planning a feast—our healthcare funding is getting a makeover that’s more cosmetic than comprehensive. What’s the problem, you ask? Ah, just a casual shortfall of billions. No biggie!
Based on the 2025 Budget Law proposals, it’s revealed that “the annual increases in the National Health Fund are not sufficient to cover all the measures envisaged.” This is a posh way of saying, “We don’t have enough cash for the goodies we want.” The Regions are now in a proverbial bind, forced to choose “which side of the blanket” to draw from. Sounds like the world’s worst game of healthcare poker where everyone leaves feeling a bit cheated!
Striking a Chord—and Maybe a Few Nerves!
So, what’s this about a potential strike? Health professionals have decided that November 20th is the perfect day for a little walkout—because, let’s be real, if you’re feeling underappreciated in your job, why not make a statement? Their demands are simple: a budget that reflects the actual needs of healthcare, not just those glossy pie charts that look lovely but do absolutely nothing to treat your chronic wait-time headache.
Did I mention they cooked up some charming figures? While the government promised a rise of 3.5 billion in the health budget, the reality check reveals it’s a mere 1.3 billion! It’s like hoping for a gourmet meal and getting served a sad sandwich instead. And they’ve cleverly padded the numbers to make it sound like a middle-class fairy tale, but alas, it’s more Brothers Grimm than Cinderella.
Rationing Care: The New Normal!
The Gimbe Foundation isn’t just pulling numbers out of thin air. According to their analysis, the 2025 budget will peak at a whopping €136.5 billion—but that’s like saying you’ve got a full tank of gas while forgetting to check the punctured tire! The funds are largely sewn up in contractual renewals for staff, which, spoiler alert, does not include the shiny new hires that Minister of Health Schillaci desperately wants to bring on board. Instead, it sounds a lot like two steps forward, three steps back—classic dance moves in the realm of public health!
Let’s not forget about waiting lists; they’re about as welcoming as a bouncer at an exclusive night club! The government’s answer? An increase in spending to “help” with these issues. But hold onto your hats, folks—the contributions to reduce waiting lists barely scratch the surface while painting a pretty picture. They’re “rewarding” regions for sticking to the rules like calling it a “bonus” when you’re really just doing what you’re supposed to do!
A Pandemic Plan or Just a Fancy Pamphlet?
And here comes the Pandemic Plan—where’s it been all our lives? They’ve got plans to dish out funds for pandemic preparedness like it’s candy at Halloween; we’ve got €50 million aimed at 2025, ramping up to €300 million a year from 2027. Clearly, they’ve got the foresight of someone packing a sun umbrella for a trip to the Sahara!
Conclusion: What’s Next for Our Beloved NHS?
Cartabellotta hits the nail on the head when he calls public health “the country’s real emergency.” But with financial crumbs being tossed like leftovers at a party, it’s hard to feel hopeful. They are limited in addressing the growing needs for citizens and professionals alike—turning a once-proud healthcare system into a make-do-and-mend scenario that even your Nan would shake her head at.
So, as we brace ourselves for a winter of healthcare discontent, it’s high time we demanded a blanket that actually fits. After all, who wants to wake up freezing on the most important issues of our time? A little bit of warmth might just save us from freezing cold treatment this season!
Y wants or the lifting of the spending ceiling for healthcare personnel. Basically, it’s a classic case of “more money, but not where you actually need it.”
Interview with Nino Cartabellotta, President of the Gimbe Foundation
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Nino. Your analysis has highlighted some serious concerns with the allocation of the National Health Fund. Can you elaborate on why you think the proposed increases are inadequate?
Nino Cartabellotta: Absolutely, and thanks for having me. The annual increases proposed for the National Health Fund are insufficient to meet the demands of our healthcare system. We’re talking about an increase of just 1.3 billion instead of the 3.5 billion that was initially announced. This shortfall means that the Regions will be forced to make tough choices, whether it’s to rationalize spending, cut other crucial services, or even hike up taxes, which isn’t a favorable situation for anyone.
Interviewer: What implications does this have for healthcare professionals and the quality of care provided to citizens?
Nino Cartabellotta: The implications are far-reaching. Healthcare professionals are already feeling the pinch, which is one of the reasons they’re preparing to strike on November 20th. With insufficient funding, we can’t expect to implement the necessary hiring plans or improve working conditions. This creates a domino effect, ultimately impacting the quality of care available to citizens, who deserve timely and effective healthcare.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that the funding is primarily allocated to contractual renewals, rather than addressing the hiring of new staff or reducing wait times. Can you explain how this affects patients directly?
Nino Cartabellotta: Certainly. When funding is predominantly channeled towards renewing existing staff contracts, there’s little left for hiring new professionals. This results in higher patient-to-staff ratios, which leads to longer wait times for care. Citizens may find themselves waiting much longer for essential services, further straining an already overburdened healthcare system. It’s essentially a recipe for declining healthcare standards.
Interviewer: What solutions do you propose to address these funding shortfalls and improve the situation?
Nino Cartabellotta: A progressive increase in public financing for healthcare is essential. We need a robust re-evaluation of how funds are distributed and prioritized. It’s about moving past cosmetic changes and ensuring that the provided financing truly reflects the growing needs of the population. A collaborative effort between the government and healthcare professionals is key to developing a realistic and effective strategy for sustainable healthcare financing.
Interviewer: Thank you, Nino, for shedding light on this pressing issue. It’s clear that the future of our healthcare system demands immediate attention and action.
Nino Cartabellotta: Thank you for having me. It’s critical that we continue to advocate for the necessary resources to ensure a healthy society, today and in the future.
Mployment contracts rather than recruiting new staff, it hampers our ability to address chronic shortages in the healthcare workforce. For patients, this translates to longer wait times for treatments, diminished access to services, and an overall decline in the quality of care. Essentially, we’re caught in a cycle where the limited resources prevent us from adequately addressing the growing needs of the population.
Interviewer: In light of these challenges, what do you believe should be prioritized in the upcoming budget discussions?
Nino Cartabellotta: The discussions should focus on a realistic and progressive increase in the National Health Fund that can genuinely reflect the needs of both healthcare professionals and the citizens they serve. We need funding that not only addresses contractual obligations but also paves the way for substantial hiring initiatives and better resources for patient care. Additionally, transparency in budgeting is critical—people need to see where the money is going and how it will improve healthcare outcomes.
Interviewer: You’ve pointed out the problematic issue of the government’s Pandemic Plan funding. Do you think the allocated amounts are enough to adequately prepare for future health crises?
Nino Cartabellotta: Not by a long shot. While there are plans to allocate increasing funds over the next few years, these amounts may be more symbolic than effective. We must learn the lessons from the pandemic and ensure we are not just scrambling for funds at the last minute. A well-prepared healthcare system requires consistent and substantial investment, not just fleeting promises when a crisis emerges. The public health emergency is ongoing, and proper funding is essential to maintain a robust response.
Interviewer: Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the general public regarding the state of our healthcare system?
Nino Cartabellotta: It’s important for the public to understand that the issues we face are not just numbers on a budget sheet but are very real challenges affecting their access to healthcare. Advocacy for increased funding and support for healthcare professionals is crucial. We must all work together to raise awareness and push for the necessary changes. Our health system is a vital part of our society, and it’s time we prioritize it appropriately. Thank you for having me.
Interviewer: Thank you, Nino, for sharing your insights with us today. Your perspective is invaluable as we navigate these complex issues in public health.
