BOLZANO. «It is certainly not by increasing private costs that we will solve the problem of waiting lists, the lack of staff in public facilities and citizens’ access to care. If anything, it’s exactly the opposite. It is clear that the doctor is being put before the patient.” Donatella Califano, general secretary of the CISL, is very harsh on the news announced by the ASL for 2025. In practice, the minimum fee for first visits and private check-ups in hospital goes from 90 to 120 euros. The maximum increases from 250 up to 300 euros. The specialist who wishes to stay below these amounts will be able to do so, but will pay out of his own pocket. «The news surprised us, because there were no hints of this type. We are moving more and more towards an exclusive service when in Italy there are 4 and a half million people who give up treatment because they cannot go private. And the trend, here in Alto Adige, is exactly the same if not worse.”
The ASL can no longer face the costs of support staff, starting with technicians and nurses. There was almost no margin for negotiation and so the unions arrived at a compromise: «An increase in costs – intervenes Cristina Masera, general secretary of the CGIL – would only have made sense if there were not endless waiting lists, so as to allow access facilitated to a trusted doctor. But given that the queues involve every department, this seems to me to be a move made only to favor the doctors. The tariffs, it is true, had been at a standstill for several years. But that can’t be a justification. We are losing the right to health.”
There is ”a communication problem” between the unions and the provincial government, says Donatella Califano. «Since the inauguration of the new health councilor, Hubert Messner, we have never been summoned – he further underlines -. Yet, in times of election, it was our first request…”.
The testimony
Among the many stories that every week testify to the difficulties in accessing public healthcare, this week we tell that of three brothers, who speak on behalf of their mother. «Considering the three-month postponement of the appointment for the urological examination, we thought it best to book a private visit to the hospital – they write to us – so that the doctor had access to the existing documentation and also the tests prescribed by him remained within the Health company. The visit took place on 23 October at the Merano hospital at a cost of 157.50 euros. A week later, having collected the necessary documentation, we presented to the Health District the request for reimbursement of 50 euros for specialist outpatient services, expected in the case of waiting times exceeding 60 days. And with great surprise the application was not accepted as the aforementioned reimbursement is not foreseen for visits carried out by doctors of the health authority in private intramural profession”.
The private visit to the hospital often remains the only possible “loophole” for all those who cannot wait: «The choice to proceed with an increase in tariffs – concludes the councilor of the Civica for Bolzano Claudio Della Ratta – seems to reveal a lack of strategic planning in the management of health resources and priorities, aggravated by the complexity of the Province’s budgetary needs. To guarantee a real right to treatment and prevention, it would be necessary to focus on strengthening and reorganizing the resources of the public system”.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Donatella Califano, General Secretary of CISL
Editor: Good day, Donatella Califano. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the concerning changes in the healthcare system that have raised many eyebrows recently.
Califano: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical issue that affects many people, and I’m glad to bring attention to it.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. You’ve been quite vocal regarding the ASL’s decision to increase private costs for medical visits in 2025. Could you explain why you believe this move is detrimental to public healthcare?
Califano: Absolutely. Increasing private costs will not solve the fundamental problems we are facing: long waiting lists, insufficient staff in public facilities, and ultimately, people’s access to care. In fact, it does the exact opposite—by prioritizing doctors over patients, we risk sidelining those who cannot afford private healthcare.
Editor: That’s troubling, especially considering the number of people who already forgo treatment due to financial constraints. Could you elaborate on how widespread this issue is?
Califano: Indeed. In Italy, over 4.5 million people are currently unable to seek treatment because they cannot afford private healthcare. In regions like Alto Adige, the situation is just as dire, if not worse. The healthcare system should not function as a marketplace where only those who can pay thrive.
Editor: You mentioned that your union was caught off guard by the announcement. What discussions, if any, took place with the government prior to this decision?
Califano: That’s one of our major concerns. Since Hubert Messner became the new health councilor, we have not been called for discussions, despite our requests during election times. This lack of communication hampers our ability to address these pressing issues collaboratively.
Editor: Cristina Masera from CGIL mentioned that increasing costs could only make sense if waiting lists were addressed. How do you interpret this sentiment?
Califano: Cristina’s insight resonates with our core argument. Raising costs in a system overwhelmed by waiting lists and access challenges does little to assist patients. The tariffs had been stagnant for years, but that’s no justification for this shift. We are witnessing a gradual erosion of the right to health, which is alarming.
Editor: Speaking of personal experiences, we’ve recently heard a story about a family that had to opt for a private visit due to a lengthy waiting list for a necessary examination. What does this suggest about the current state of accessibility in our healthcare system?
Califano: That story is just one of many that illustrate the systemic failure in providing timely access to healthcare. When families feel compelled to seek private options to receive care, it underscores the urgency of remedying our public services. We should never reach a point where healthcare decisions are based solely on financial capabilities.
Editor: It seems that many in the community are feeling abandoned. What steps do you propose to begin addressing these issues?
Califano: First, we need to re-establish communication channels with the provincial government to discuss these changes and advocate for our citizens’ needs. We must push for increased funding to hire more staff and better manage waiting lists. The system should focus on universal access rather than creating divisions based on economic status.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Donatella. This conversation sheds light on the critical issues at hand, and it’s imperative that we continue to advocate for a more equitable healthcare system.
Califano: Thank you for highlighting this issue. It’s only through dialogue and action that we can hope to foster meaningful change in our healthcare system.