Italian Doctors' Union and Health Ministry Near Deal on Community Clinics

The main union of family doctors, Fimmg (Federazione Italiana Medici di Medicina Generale), and Italy's Ministry of Health have resumed dialogue after a halted decree, signalling a possible agreement to staff the new "Case di comunità" (community houses) for family doctors before the PNrr deadline of 30 June. The talks were highlighted at the "Spazio Salute" event in Cagliari, organized by Fratelli d'Italia, where Health Minister Orazio Schillaci, Senate health committee chair Francesco Zaffini, and nursing federation head Barbara Mangiacavalli were present, and union secretary Silvestro Scotti joined via video link. Both sides said they are ready to finalize the “last mile” – populating the community houses – and are awaiting a new directive under the national collective agreement (ACN). Regional authorities are expected to play a role; some regions have already implemented agreements and have doctors working in the new facilities. Tensions persist with Lombardy welfare assessor Guido Bertolaso and regional president Attilio Fontana, who criticized the government's withdrawal of the decree.