Lorenzin nixes national health care cuts (3)

(ANSA) - Rome, July 28 - Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin 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 in the sector. "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 has not decided to cut 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 concluded.