Lombardy health reform debates focus on freeing professionals and strengthening primary care

The Lombardy regional council’s third committee heard proposals for Law 6, which would regulate the liberal activity of nurses, physiotherapists, health technicians, midwives and other health professionals. The regional health workers’ union FIALS Lombardy welcomed the draft but urged the removal of the public‑sector exclusivity rule and the establishment of clear, uniform rules, simpler authorisation procedures and adequate insurance and pension protections. It argued that temporary Covid‑era exemptions have proven the feasibility of combined public and private practice and should become permanent.

In parallel, the Italian Society of General Practitioners (SIMG) is organizing a regional conference in Pavia to promote a new model of territorial medicine centred on continuity of care and patient‑focused services. With over ten million residents and a rapidly ageing population, Lombardy aims to use flexible, network‑based primary‑care structures, such as a pilot project for chronic pain management in Pavia, to improve service integration and address workforce shortages.