Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin on Tuesday went on the offensive against what she called "defensive medicine", or the practice by some doctors of over-prescribing tests and medications to avoid possible lawsuits.
The minister told ANSA Tuesday there will be no cuts in the national health care system, but rather the system will be made more efficient so savings can be reinvested. "I wish to state clearly that I oppose any new cuts to the national health service," she said. "Savings are not the same as spending cuts," Lorenzin went on. "Any savings achieved thanks to efficiency measures will be reinvested in the national health care system, and we estimate we can save 10 billion euros over five years," she added. "The government is not cutting health care spending," Lorenzin said. "Rather, the government has cut funding to regions by over four billion euros, and regions in turn have cut health care spending," the minister said. "I have always disagreed on this point," she added. "I did not think that was the path to follow". The minister reiterated that the 10 billion euros saved by reorganizing the national health system and reducing waste will be reinvested in "innovation, research, staff, and access to new medications". "So those who think 10 billion euros will be cut have misunderstood," Lorenzin said.
She also told ANSA that eliminating medical exams and tests prescribed solely to prevent possible lawsuits will save the system 13 billion euros a year. "We estimate defensive medicine is costing 13 billion euros a year, which means taxpayers shell out an additional 200 euros per capita per year," Lorenzin explained.
"That money could be reinvested in prevention, for example".
Doctors unions have been protesting a proposed measure contained in the so-called Local Authorities bill now before the Senate, calling for pay cuts for doctors who prescribe unnecessarily.
The bill features 2.3 billion euros in cuts.
"That sanction...is designed to make individuals more responsible and acts as a disincentive to the abuse of prescriptions, which costs such enormous sums," Lorenzin explained.
The measure is not in any way intended to persecute doctors, Lorenzin added. Prescription guidelines will be established in a forthcoming decree, the minister said. Also on Tuesday, Codacons consumer association praised Lorenzin's measure penalizing doctors who prescribe too much.
"Defensive medicine damages society as a whole because it brings about massive waste of public resources," said Codacons Presient Carlo Rienzi.
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