Healthcare, Lamberti (Federlab): "Tariff cuts put survival of analysis laboratories at risk"

"The strange statement from the Honorable Vito De Palma, celebrating the alleged postponement of the deadline for the reorganization of the laboratory network to December 31, 2024, is worthy of the best monologues from Beckett's or Ionesco's Theater of the Absurd. He, in fact, speaks of something that doesn't exist." So, in a note, Gennaro Lamberti, president of Federlab Italia, one of the main trade associations of clinical analysis laboratories and private outpatient centers accredited with the National Health Service.

What the Forza Italia group leader in the Finance Committee portrays as a landmark achievement, marking the success (?) of a decisive battle waged by the glorious resistance fighters of the analysis laboratories (which provide fewer than 200.000 tests annually) against the 'predators' who, with their mega-structures costing millions of tests, would endanger their survival, is simply a complete lie. What endangers the laboratories, in fact, is the new cut in remuneration rates for a sector that represents 0,56% of the National Health Fund's spending.

For Lamberti: "No law approved by this government, as by previous ones, has postponed the implementation of the reorganization of the laboratory network, enshrined in law since 2007. It is presumable that De Palma is referring to a reminder in the Milleproroghe (Millproroghe) that extends the deadline for regions to benefit from several million euros to encourage such aggregations, not to delay their implementation!"

It follows, adds the president of Federlab, that "Throughout the country, reaching the efficiency threshold must remain a requirement in order to obtain a contract with the National Health Service and be able to provide services at the expense of the State.". If the Honorable De Palma wants a discussion on the regulations, Federlab is available. It's important to understand that what's at stake for laboratories is meeting the requirements to guarantee the quality of their services, and therefore protecting their users. Who benefits from undercutting quality, and whose interests are being protected at the state's expense? We're ready, with laws and court rulings in hand. concludes Lamberti.