"Sacconi: in the maneuver that is about to be fired by the Government, there are no cuts in funding for the Regions". However the point remains debated
"There has been improper talk of cuts, but in my house cuts mean less money. Instead, in 2009 the Government puts in the increase in funding already arranged by the Prodi executive and adds the resources for the renewal of general medicine plus 400 million to avoid tickets. This is extra money." Thus the Minister of Labour, Health and Social Policies, Maurizio Sacconi, replies to the criticisms received yesterday from the Regions on the health chapter of the Budget Law. "In 2010-2011 there will be 5 billion more than in 2009 for the National Health Service - adds the minister on the sidelines of the presentation of the Inail data on 2007 injuries - These are all increases, not cuts. Then the Regions, legitimately, can also to say that the money is not enough but the fact remains that it is more money than previously allocated, it is more money". The minister then reiterated the need to "accelerate the pace of change for inefficient Regions. It is necessary to rationalize the health expenditure of the Regions in order to have the same cost-benefit ratio throughout the country. In fact, there is no equation that says more spending equals plus efficiency". rb Doctornews 16-07-08
