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The
Financial Bill for the year 2001 represents another anachronism in the
management of our country. This law is being drafted a few months before
the political elections take place. It is therefore being prepared by
people who, whatever the election results are, will most probably no
longer be in office when it comes to implementing it.
Indeed,
should the contribution of the Communist Refoundation Party prove to
be a decisive factor for the victory of the Ulivo Movement, we already
know that this bill will have to be reviewed, since Mr Bertinotti's
party does not agree with its formulation.
If,
on the contrary, the victory should be awarded to the Casa della libertà,
this coalition will end up handling a programme which is inspired by
quite a different financial philosophy from its own.
This
reminds us of a slogan by Mr Pajetta who, during the old election campaigns,
used to say in connection with the former Christian Democrats: "Their
job, gentlemen, they do not want to give up their safe old job". This
is a slogan which applies to all geographical latitudes, if we think
of what is happening in the United States. It seems that "political
bulimia" is a problem shared by a lot of people, as it affects whoever
comes into power. What could the treatment be? We leave it to scientist
to find the pharmacological remedy.During the last few days there has
been a ruling by the Constitutional Court which abolishes the offence
of insult to the Catholic religion. From now on it is therefore lawful
to freely offend whoever professes this religion. We really felt the
need, and urgency, for a measure like this: a further step forward in
the escalation of the religious conflict which is taking place in our
country; and it is a recurring practice to increasingly favour minority
groups in the name of democracy.A Few Comments about the Health SystemAs
regards the Financial Bill, and in particular the measures provided
for within the health sector, articles 52 to 62 are worthy of note.
Here are a few of the provisions contained herein:
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The budget for the long-term programme covering building renovation
and national health property modernisation is increased to 3,800 billion
lira: 1,800 billion will be allocated for facilities designed for intramural
activity
.-
The bill sets out the modalities whereby, as from the year 2001, the
individual regional administrations will have to see to the coverage
of any deficit for the accounting period, by increasing regional tax
rates.
-
The package introduces a programme aimed at establishing the possibility
of a progressive reduction in the contribution to healthcare spending
by welfare recipients, in line with the savings established in the Financial
Planning Document. In practice, the objective is to progressively reduce
prescription charges (the so-called "ticket") up to their complete elimination.
-
Among the most significant innovations contained in the "healthcare
package", is the experimental introduction, in specific types of territory,
of a "district budget" for general practitioners and freely chosen paediatricians.-
The package also provides for incentives for doctors who, through their
professional behaviour, ensure that the cost of services remains within
overall budgeted limits.- In line with the objective of achieving a
wider computerisation of the "Health System" - and a more accurate monitoring
of expenses - the package introduces the computerised management of
pharmaceutical, diagnostic, specialistic and hospital prescriptions,
issued by public or accredited private bodies. We shall establish during
the course of the next year whether all the measures provided for have
been properly implemented and weather the Italian health system as a
whole has taken the much awaited step forward.
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