Tuscany spends €53 million on orthopedic prostheses in Emilia‑Romagna as waiting lists swell

The Regione Toscana allocated €53 million in 2025 for orthopedic prosthetic surgeries—mainly hip and knee replacements—performed in neighbouring Emilia‑Romagna. The spending reflects long public‑hospital waiting lists that force many Tuscan patients, especially the elderly, to seek care outside the region.

In 2025, 35,154 Tuscan residents were hospitalised for orthopaedic procedures elsewhere, with 73.7 % of the €80.6 million total orthopaedic mobility spend directed to Emilia‑Romagna. Private clinics in Bologna, such as Villa Laura, Villa Chiara, Villa Erbosa and Villa Regina, received €33.7 million, accounting for 90.1 % of the funds funneled to private providers. Despite a slight reduction in the public‑sector deficit to €1.6 million, the flow of public money to private facilities continues, and the regional health system remains strained, prompting officials to seek new solutions.