Question time / 2. Fibromyalgia. Hope: “The Lea Commission is evaluating pathology insertion”

In these days, the Commission for the updating of Lea’s and the promotion of the appropriateness of the national health system “is engaged in examining and evaluating this request for insertion and the related outpatient specialist services appropriate for monitoring the disease to be grant under exemption “. Thus the Minister of Health replying to Noja’s question (IV).

20 OTT – With reference to fibromyalgia, “I point out that the National Commission for the updating of Lea’s and the promotion of the appropriateness of the National Health System is engaged in examining and evaluating this request for insertion and the related outpatient specialist services appropriate for the monitoring of the disease to be granted under the exemption regime “.

Thus the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza responding today in the Chamber to the question time of Lisa Noja (IV).

The response of Minister Speranza. Thank you, President. In this case too, I want to thank Mr Annibali and also Mr Noja for having drawn attention to a subject which is particularly sensitive and truly deserves the utmost commitment on the part of the institutions. Fibromyalgia is a painful chronic non-inflammatory disease affecting the musculoskeletal system and which determines a difficult quality of life in many patients, as chronic pain limits physical activity, social life and overall well-being and, according to some surveys hit between 2 and 3 percent of the population. It is also present in younger subjects, under the age of 18, and mainly affects the female gender. For some time it has been the subject of a large number of reports and parliamentary acts aimed at requesting greater attention from the institutions and the medical profession towards patients and a possible inclusion among the pathologies subject to specific protection. In particular, the requests concern the inclusion of fibromyalgia among the chronic disabling diseases that give the right to exemption from health care costs for outpatient specialist assistance services necessary for the monitoring of the disease and for the prevention of aggravations and complications, it being understood that the National health service makes available to patients, in accredited public and private structures, all the services contained in the essential levels of assistance.

Having said this, with reference to the requests of the Honorable Member, I would like to point out that the National Commission for the updating of the LEAs and the promotion of the appropriateness of the National Health System is engaged in examining and evaluating this request for insertion and the related outpatient specialist services appropriate for monitoring the disease to be granted under an exemption regime. Here I would like to remind you that the new investments we are making in this very budgetary maneuver will also be able to serve to widen our essential levels of assistance. I recall a few numbers: 2 years ago, in 2019, the National Health Fund had 114 billion. Right now, as I speak, we have reached 122. The Government’s commitment is to reach 124 next year, 126 in 2023 and 128 in 2024. This unprecedented growth of the National Health Fund will certainly put us in the right conditions. to also respond to some needs that have been submitted.

Say Noja. Thank you President. Thank you Minister, we welcome your words and interpret them as a commitment. We ask that this commitment be implemented as soon as possible because, Minister, the issue of territorial inhomogeneity is an issue of equity. Being born in a region where the process of caring for fibromyalgia sufferers is more advanced than in another region is not something we can accept (it does not conform to the principles of our Constitution). It is an issue that has to do with the economic expenses that the sick have to face. You mentioned earlier the recognition of this disease as disabling, which also means the possibility of exemption from medical expenses. I add that it is also a theme of human and social support, because the theme of fibromyalgia, as it was mentioned before, also has to do with the loneliness that the sick live, who often do not see themselves recognized in their disease, arrive at a often diagnosed after months or years, they are unable to work and find themselves in a state of loneliness and not even cultural recognition of their situation, which formal and legal recognition could fill instead. Therefore, we ask you, Minister, maximum attention and maximum timeliness on this problem.

October 20, 2021
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