Healthcare: Schlein, government lies, funds at their lowest level in 15 years

Florence, 27 February (LaPresse) – ‘I am going to Milan where, with the initiative “L’Italia che si prende cura” (Italy that cares), we will be working to defend public healthcare from the cuts and privatisation being pushed forward by the right wing.’ This was stated by PD secretary Elly Schlein, speaking at the “Manifattura delle idee” (Manufacture of Ideas) initiative, currently underway in Florence. ‘This government continues to talk about the biggest investment in the country’s history when it comes to healthcare,’ Schlein continued. “But that is a lie, because healthcare spending is not calculated in absolute terms, but in relation to GDP. And since this government came to power, that figure has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years. We are at a level that does not allow hospitals to respond to departments that are emptying by hiring new medical and nursing staff. And that means longer waiting lists. We conducted a survey which showed that 8 out of 10 Lombardy residents want more resources for public healthcare, and 60% of them say that the most critical issue in healthcare is precisely the waiting lists.”