Clash Over Supplemental Healthcare in Lombardy: 27 Organizations Oppose
Twenty-seven organizations against agreements between public and private sectors in Lombardy. Risk of privileged access and reduced transparency.
Contesto
In Lombardy, the debate over supplemental healthcare has heated up following the regional resolution XII/4986, published on September 15, 2025. This regulation allows for agreements between public healthcare facilities and private funds, raising concerns among twenty-seven organizations, including unions and consumer associations, which have sent an open letter to the directors of the Asst and Irccs. In the letter, released on March 9, 2026, strong opposition to this measure is expressed, highlighting the risk of a 'super-intramoenia'. In this context, the idea of expanding paid services in the public sector could create preferential access for those with greater financial resources, leading to disparities in access to care. > 'Transparency and equity in the healthcare system must be guaranteed, otherwise the most vulnerable will pay the price,' state the signatories of the letter. This issue is particularly relevant for cross-border workers who work in Lombardy and reside in the Canton of Ticino, such as those living in municipalities like Lugano and Mendrisio. These workers largely depend on the Italian healthcare system, and the implementation of agreements with private funds could lead to an increase in healthcare costs. Currently, the average cost for a specialist visit in Lombardy is around 100-150 euros, a figure that could rise further if preferential rates for paying patients are introduced. 📊 Practical examples: - A specialist visit that currently costs 120 euros could increase by 20% if supplemental healthcare is implemented, raising the cost to 144 euros. - For a cross-border worker who requires frequent care, this change could translate into an additional annual expense of 500-1000 euros. ⚠️ Operational checklist for cross-border workers: - Monitor reg...
Dettagli operativi
The introduction of agreements between public and private sectors in healthcare could lead to complex scenarios for cross-border workers in Ticino. Currently, cross-border workers face high costs for health insurance, with premiums ranging from 300 to 600 francs per month, depending on the coverage chosen. With the implementation of these new agreements, there are concerns that health insurance costs will rise further, making it even more difficult for many cross-border workers to bear these expenses. It is unclear how this change will affect health insurance rates in Ticino, where policies already incur significantly higher costs compared to neighboring regions like Lombardy, where premiums can range from 150 to 400 euros per month. Italian law, particularly Legislative Decree 502/1992, allows companies to enter into contracts with health funds and insurance, but the concern lies in the fact that this could amplify the disparity between those who can afford to access private services and those who are forced to rely solely on public services. Moreover, the implementation of preferential access for those with private fund access could lead to a decrease in the quality of services offered by the public healthcare system. In the municipality of Lugano, for example, the number of patients waiting for surgeries is already high, with wait times exceeding six months. A system that favors access to private services could further exacerbate this situation, leading to neglect of the needs of patients unable to pay. Regulatory intervention is necessary to ensure that public healthcare remains accessible to all, without discrimination. The involved organizations, such as the Ticino Cross-Border Workers Association and the Unia Union, are calling for direct dialogue with institu...
Punti chiave
For cross-border workers and those operating between Italy and Switzerland, it is essential to keep an eye on developments in the healthcare sector. In particular, the situation in Lombardy is raising concerns, especially for the 27 groups opposing the recent proposed reforms. It is crucial to verify one's health coverage, comparing available policies and assessing long-term costs. For example, a cross-border worker residing in Mendrisio with an annual income of 70,000 CHF could spend up to 3,500 CHF per year on a basic health insurance policy in Switzerland, while in Italy, the cost of a supplemental policy might be around 1,200 EUR, with significant differences in covered services. Utilizing tools like the salary calculator to better understand how healthcare expenses will impact net income is a useful move. By comparing costs, a cross-border worker may discover that opting for a Swiss policy could provide access to higher quality services, but at a greater cost. It is advisable to monitor any regulatory developments that might impact insurance policies and healthcare costs in the near future. For instance, the Lombardy regional decree of 2022 introduced new rules on complementary health coverage, increasing premiums for certain categories. Operational checklist: - Check your current health insurance policy - Compare costs between Switzerland and Italy - Use the salary calculator to estimate net income - Stay updated on local healthcare regulations If you want to learn more about your salary and how healthcare expenses might affect it, visit our salary calculator. The issue of supplemental healthcare in Italy is complex and constantly evolving; in 2023, for instance, supplemental policies in Lombardy saw an average increase of 5%, making it imperative to carefully...