Healthcare, Marino (Unindustria): “Tomorrow with Uap for the centrality of private clinics”

“We hope for a virtuous synergy between public and private, accredited and not, and we ask that the project of the pharmacies of services be corrected and that the introduction of the new nomenclature be suspended, concentrating energy and resources to update the current price list in a manner consistent with technological evolution and the increase in requests, in order to adequately respond to the health needs of citizens”. This is what Adnkronos said Luca Marino, Vice President of the Health Section of Unindustriaon the eve of the demonstration promoted by Uap – National Union of Outpatient Clinics, Polyclinics, Institutions and Private Hospitalssummoned to Rome for tomorrow.

“Our national health system, based on a balance between public and private structures, has always been recognized as one of the most efficient at an international level, with an optimal use of resources – explains Marino – However, today we are witnessing a questioning of this balance, just as Parliament is examining the bill on waiting lists and service pharmacies: two measures that have a profound impact on our sector and that can decide the fate of the future of healthcare. We ask for clarity for the over 8,700 private outpatient facilities present on the national territory and certainties for the future – he adds – The accredited and non-accredited private facilities, despite having been fundamental in reducing waiting lists, remain underused due to budgets blocked for over 10 years. With a minimal economic effort by the Government, the offer of benefits and services could be immediately increased, without the need for new regulatory interventions”.

Two hot topics are fueling the debate in the sector: the hypothesis of a new tariff list in 2025 and the project of the so-called ‘pharmacy of services’. “The specter of the entry into force of the new nomenclature from January 1, 2025, which last year envisaged reductions of up to 80% for some services, is still alive”, warns Marino. “Despite the Government’s reassurances – he points out – there has not yet been a real discussion on the issue and there is a risk of a stalemate with a new impracticable tariff list for facilities forced not to provide essential services. In a context in which costs continue to rise, this measure would jeopardize the sustainability of the facilities that for years have contributed to the success of our health system”.

“In addition to all this – continues the Vice President of the Health Section of Unindustria – there is the proposal to entrust pharmacies with diagnostic tests without the same guarantees offered by private laboratories, accredited or not. About 70% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory data: entrusting the execution of tests to pharmacies would mean underestimating the complexity of these operations and creating a disparity. There must be a reason why a private clinic must satisfy over 400 requirements required by Legislative Decree no. 502/1992 to be accredited while pharmacies could operate with a simple municipal authorization. If pharmacies want to expand their business and open diagnostic centers, they must satisfy the requirements set out in the current law”, clarifies Marino.

This is why Unindustria will also take part in the mobilization called for tomorrow. “I will be there to reiterate the importance of private health facilities in the territory, to guarantee safe, efficient health care at the service of citizens. As an entrepreneur who has been working in this sector for over thirty years and as vice president of the Unindustria Health Section with responsibility for outpatient specialist care, I will not fail to bring my contribution”, concludes Marino.