Il servizio sanitario emiliano-romagnolo

The Emilia-Romagna health service is widely regarded as one of the leading regional health systems in Italy, recognized both through performance evaluations and by its popularity among patients from other regions. Confidence in local health units’ management boards, appreciation for their organizational ingenuity, and strong stakeholder involvement in planning are hallmarks of this regional health system, which has consistently affirmed its commitment to publicly run healthcare, limiting competition with private providers. Despite its success, Emilia-Romagna’s health service still faces systemic tensions and signs of declining performance. The essay examines its organizational structure and the implications of its struggles for the future of Italy’s healthcare system.