Fontana Fedriga Healthcare | Frontaliere Ticino
Fontana Fedriga Healthcare — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.
Context
The President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and his colleague from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Massimiliano Fedriga, were the protagonists in Varese for the General States of the Health Economy. The event brought together the main actors in the sector to discuss the sustainability of the healthcare system. The healthcare issue is particularly relevant in the Lombardy region, which shares a border of over 100 km with the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland. The free movement of people and goods between the two regions has led to greater integration of healthcare systems, but also to new challenges. 'Putting more money into healthcare is not the only way to solve problems. Who says that shows they don't know the real criticalities of the system,' Fontana stated. The Lombardy Region President emphasized the importance of revising the healthcare management model, overcoming hospital-centrism and focusing on prevention and territorial care. A concrete example of how this can work is the telemedicine project launched between the Lombardy Region and the Canton of Ticino. The project, funded with 2 million euros, allows patients to access remote medical consultation services, reducing the need for travel and improving the quality of care. The Lombardy Region has also launched an investment plan of 10 million euros to enhance public and private healthcare structures in the region. The plan provides for the creation of new territorial care structures and the enhancement of digital technologies for healthcare data management. Also Friuli Venezia Giulia has launched similar initiatives. The region has allocated 5 million euros for the creation of a network of territorial healthcare services, which will allow patients to access care services closer to their residence. > 'Healthcare is no...
Operational details
According to Fontana and Fedriga, simply increasing resources is not enough: a profound reform of organizational models and medical responsibility is needed. 'Hospital-centrism is outdated, now we need to invest in the territory,' they stated. This means that attention needs to be shifted from hospital structures to territorial services, such as primary care and intermediate structures. ## The current situation In Ticino, like in many other regions, the healthcare system has traditionally been centered on hospitals. However, this approach has shown its limitations, with long waiting lists and excessive pressure on hospital structures. For example, according to data from the University Hospital of Zurich, in 2022, 45% of hospitalized patients could have been treated in territorial structures. ## Fontana and Fedriga's proposals Fontana and Fedriga propose shifting attention to the territory, enhancing primary care and intermediate structures. This could include the creation of polyclinics and intermediate care centers, such as the Mendrisio Intermediate Care Center, which offers rehabilitation and long-term care services. - Concrete example: In Bellinzona, the municipality has launched a project to create a territorial healthcare hub, which will include a primary care center and an intermediate structure for rehabilitation. The project, with a budget of 10 million francs, will be financed partly with cantonal funds and partly with private funds. ## Benefits This approach could bring numerous benefits, including: > 'The goal is to provide more efficient and patient-centered care, reducing pressure on hospitals and improving patients' quality of life.' - Reduction of waiting lists: With more services available in the territory, patients could be treated more quickly a...
Key points
The healthcare system of the future must be centered on prevention and patient care in their territory. This requires greater integration between healthcare and social services, as well as greater attention to the training and updating of healthcare personnel. ## Territorial model The two presidents, Fontana and Fedriga, emphasized the importance of overcoming the so-called 'hospital-centrism' and focusing on a more efficient territorial model. For example, in the Canton of Ticino, the Lugano hospital serves a population of around 200,000 inhabitants, while the Bellinzona hospital covers an area of around 100,000 inhabitants. - A well-structured territorial model could provide for the presence of polyclinics and health centers in strategic municipalities, such as: - Lugano, with a health center serving around 50,000 inhabitants - Bellinzona, with a polyclinic covering an area of around 20,000 inhabitants - Locarno, with a health center serving around 30,000 inhabitants ## Operational checklist To achieve this goal, it is possible to draw up an operational checklist with the following points: - Creation of a network of polyclinics and health centers throughout the territory - Implementation of a computerized management system for appointment booking and patient data management - Training and updating of healthcare personnel on new technologies and methodologies ## Comparison of scenarios ⚠️ A recent analysis showed that, if the current model is not changed, Switzerland could record a deficit of 3.5 billion francs in the healthcare sector by 2025. On the other hand, the implementation of a more efficient territorial model could reduce costs by 10-15% and improve the quality of care by 20-25%. ## Regulations and amounts The Swiss regulations on the healthcare...