Italy introduces private health insurance for school staff

A new supplementary private health insurance policy for Italian school personnel has opened for enrollment, with a deadline of September 20. The initiative, involving Unisalute (Unipol) in co-insurance with Poste and Intesa Sanpaolo, is part of a broader structural plan to increase participation in complementary health funds.

While the policy is compatible with existing private insurance and the National Health Service (SSN), critics argue the move represents a shift toward privatized healthcare. The program is funded by approximately 320 million euros for the 2026-2029 period, a portion of which is redirected from the fund for the operation of educational institutions.

Labor unions have shown divided responses: Cisl, Snals, Gilda, and Anief have signed the contract, whereas Cgil has refused to sign and Uil has remained outside the negotiations.