Italian Health Minister looks to pensioners for funds:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Italian Health Minister, Rosy Bindi, has proposed raising some Lit 200 billion through statutory healthcare contributions for pensioners whose incomes exceed Lit 8.5 million ($5,500). Her proposals, which would raise an average of Lit 4,000 million a year each, have caused uproar in the national press. She believes another option being put forward by Finance Ministers in an attempt to achieve savings of at least Lit 1,000 billion - indirect reimbursement for those earning over Lit 80 million - would be unworkable. Indirect reimbursement would involve paying in full for medical treatment and then claiming the reimbursed portion back.