NHS accessible to all: news for Ticino cross-border workers

Context

In brief

• Liris (Fdi) aims to make the NHS accessible to all citizens
• Focus on prevention and territorial assistance
• Involvement of associations in normative construction

Key facts

• What: Reform of the National Health Service
• When: 6 May 2026
• Where: Rome, Italian Senate
• Who: Guido Quintino Liris (Fdi), member of the Senate Budget Commission
• Amount: Not specified

Guido Quintino Liris, a member of the Senate Budget Commission for Fratelli d'Italia, announced today in Rome a plan to make the National Health Service (NHS) truly accessible to all citizens, without geographical or local health authority distinctions. During the meeting 'Innovation and sustainability of the National Health System: the value of participation', organized in the Senate at his initiative, Liris emphasized the importance of responding to the needs arising from the aging population and the incidence of chronic-degenerative diseases.

The priorities of the plan

Liris highlighted the need to intercept and respond to health needs in the territorial context, with a particular focus on Community Houses. These structures, funded by the Pnrr and digital technology, will need to be equipped with professional resources capable of managing appropriate diagnoses, performing therapies, and follow-ups even outside the hospital setting. For example, in the municipality of Lugano, 500,000 Swiss francs have been allocated for the creation of a Community House that will offer health and social assistance services to over 1,000 citizens. This approach aims to reduce costs and preserve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The involvement of associations

Another crucial point of the plan is the involvement of associations at the decision-making and normative construction level. Liris reiterated that the participation of associations in the normative construction paths of health and the NHS is indispensable to respond to the vast demand for health coming from the territory. For example, the Ticino Association for Health has worked closely with local authorities to create a chronic disease prevention program that has involved over 5,000 citizens in the municipality of Mendrisio. This collective approach is seen as fundamental to ensuring a universalistic and accessible health system for all citizens, without internal or marginal areas.

Operational checklist

• Creation of Community Houses funded by Pnrr and digital technology
• Provision of professional resources for the management of diagnoses and therapies
• Involvement of associations in normative construction
• Creation of chronic disease prevention programs

Operational details

Implications for Ticino Cross-Border Workers

The reforms announced by Liris could have a significant impact on cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Italy. Currently, cross-border workers often face difficulties in accessing healthcare services, especially when it comes to specialized care and prevention. With the establishment of Community Houses and the involvement of associations, it is hoped that accessibility and the quality of services offered will improve. For example, in Lugano, where over 10,000 cross-border workers reside, a Community House is expected to open by 2024, with an initial investment of 1.5 million Swiss francs.

Comparison with the Current Situation

Currently, Ticino cross-border workers often have to turn to healthcare facilities in both Switzerland and Italy, depending on the type of care needed. This can result in longer waiting times and additional costs. With the new reforms, it is expected that access to care will be simplified and costs for patients will be reduced, thanks to greater integration between territorial and hospital services. In Chiasso, for example, 60% of cross-border workers have reported having to wait more than 30 days for a specialist visit, while with the new reforms, the goal is to reduce this time to less than 15 days.

Future Scenarios

If the reforms are successfully implemented, Ticino cross-border workers could benefit from a more efficient and accessible healthcare system. This could translate into greater patient satisfaction and a better quality of life. Furthermore, the involvement of associations could lead to greater awareness and active participation of the community in the management of the healthcare system. An operational checklist for cross-border workers could include:

• Verifying membership in a Swiss or Italian health insurance fund
• Checking the requirements for accessing specialized care
• Informing oneself about available prevention and screening options

'The goal is to create a healthcare system that is accessible and efficient for everyone,' said the director of Liris.

Current regulations, such as the 1994 Federal Health Law, will be updated to reflect the new reforms, with a total investment of 10 million Swiss francs by 2025.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to do to take advantage of the new opportunities

For cross-border workers in Ticino who wish to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the reforms of the National Health System (SSN), it is important to stay updated on local initiatives and actively participate in public consultations. Furthermore, it is essential to contact the associations of the category to obtain detailed information on the available services and the rights of patients. For example, in Lugano, cross-border workers can contact the Association of Cross-border Workers of Ticino to receive information on the prevention and territorial assistance services offered by the Community Houses.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Inform: Contact the associations of the category or visit the websites of the local institutions to obtain information on the new initiatives, such as the 2019 SSN reform which introduced the prevention and territorial assistance plan. 2. Participate: Participate in public consultations and working groups to contribute to the construction of the new regulations, such as the regulation on the registration of foreign patients in Italy, which provides for registration within 90 days of arrival in Italy. 3. Access services: Contact the Community Houses to take advantage of prevention and territorial assistance services, such as the home care service which provides a contribution of 50 CHF per month. 4. Monitor: Monitor progress and provide feedback to the competent authorities to continuously improve the services offered, such as monitoring waiting times for medical visits which must be less than 30 days.

Useful tools

To deepen the information on the new SSN reforms and the services available to cross-border workers in Ticino, it is possible to use the tax calculator and the permit comparator available on the site. These tools can help to better understand the rights and opportunities offered by the Italian health system, such as calculating the amount of the SSN registration tax which is 300 CHF per year. Furthermore, it is possible to use the following operational checklist:

• Verify registration with the local health authority
• Contact the Association of Cross-border Workers of Ticino to receive information on the available services
• Verify waiting times for medical visits
• Calculate the amount of the SSN registration tax using the tax calculator.

Source: varesenoi.it