Private Healthcare Expands in Italy as Public Shortcomings Become Apparent
The need for healthcare and the shortcomings of the public system have led to the expansion of private healthcare in Italy. After the first paid emergency rooms opened in Milan, Bergamo, and Rome, private family doctors have now made their way into the Veneto region.
“Fisio & Sport Polimedica” of Cittadella has launched a service that offers patients access to retired general practitioners for a cost of 60 euros per visit. Doctors Enrico Massa and Gilberto D’Amato, both retired general practitioners, are now receiving patients through this service.
D’Amato, who recently ceased his activity in Cittadella after 42 years of service, is a well-known and appreciated face in the community. He has also been volunteering at the first free dental clinic in Italy for people in serious economic difficulty since 2016. D’Amato emphasized that his decision to offer paid visits is not incompatible with his volunteer work and that it allows him to continue assisting patients he has known for years.
The private family doctors, however, no longer have the red prescription book used by public doctors. Instead, they must use blank prescriptions and do not have the ability to issue certain medical services like anti-Covid swabs or vaccinations as part of the visit.
Another private healthcare initiative has been proposed by “BMed” of Mestrino, which offers a “Family Doc” service for 50 euros per visit. This service is open to anyone, especially those who do not have a general practitioner. While these initiatives have raised protests from unions, they argue that they are providing a solution for those who are struggling to find access to healthcare.
However, critics argue that these experiences will only cater to those who can afford the cost and will not be able to handle the 40 million visits per year supported by the 2,800 family doctors in the Veneto. They argue that the essence of general medicine is based on the ongoing relationship between the doctor and the patient and that it is not suitable for freelance work.
As private healthcare continues to expand in Italy, the debate between public and private healthcare is likely to intensify, with the ultimate goal of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to all citizens.