# Italian school staff supplementary health insurance dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-school-staff-supplementary-health-insurance-dispute > Updated: 2026-09-20T16:15:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The Italian Ministry of Education and Merit has implemented a supplementary private health insurance program for over 1.2 million public school employees. The initiative, managed through the public procurement agency Consip, involves a contract worth approximately 320 million euros for the 2026-2029 period. The policy is provided by a group including Unipol (via UniSalute), Intesa Sanpaolo Protezione, and Poste Assicura. The program has generated significant friction within the education sector and among labor unions. Proponents and unions that signed the national collective agreement, such as Cisl, Snals, Gilda, and Anief, defend the move as a welfare innovation intended to address gaps in the existing system. Conversely, dissenting unions, most notably Flc Cgil, and other political figures have strongly opposed the decision. Critics argue the initiative represents a shift toward the privatization of healthcare and claim that the funds, which are partially redirected from educational institution operation funds, would have been better utilized for salary increases or collective bargaining. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-20: Italy school healthcare contract sparks union dispute The Italian Ministry of Education has awarded a 320 million euro healthcare contract for 1.2 million school employees, sparking intense disputes with unions over privatization and wage funding. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-school-healthcare-contract-sparks-union-dispute ### 2026-09-18: Italy introduces private health insurance for school staff Italian school staff have until September 20 to enroll in a new supplementary private health insurance scheme, a move that has drawn both participation and criticism regarding public fund allocation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-introduces-private-health-insurance-for-school-staff --- Cite as: Italian school staff supplementary health insurance dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-school-staff-supplementary-health-insurance-dispute