Italy scraps family doctor reform, halting community health house plan

The Italian health ministry withdrew the territorial‑medicine reform that would have placed family doctors in Community Houses and made some of them public employees. The decision was communicated by Marco Mattei, head of the Health Ministry’s cabinet, to regional health assessors and is expected to be replaced by an agreement or amendment rather than a decree.

The move triggered political backlash from several regional governments, especially right‑wing regions, and from doctors’ unions. The reform had been promoted by Health Minister Orazio Schillaci.

In Tuscany, President Eugenio Giani reported that 70 community houses will be completed by 30 June, with 59 already certified. He emphasized that the regional model relies on dialogue rather than imposed national law, and that doctors of the family will continue to serve as central points of care within these facilities.