San Marino. FUPS-CSdL: “Healthcare should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment”
“The FUPS-CSdL Steering Committee addressed the main issues of the retired category and of the San Marino society as a whole”.
Below is the list of priorities identified by FUPS-CSdL.
Health
The Board, joining the positions taken by the Confederation of Labor, expresses a strong will and for the continued functioning of the difficulties in the functioning of San Marino health, considers it essential to return in a very short time to a prevention and treatment activity in full efficiency; the consequences of untreated diseases other than Covid19 will unfortunately be seen in the coming years.
In his report, the new general director of the ISS Befere highlighted the lack of reliable data concerning health; it is an indispensable starting point to fully understand the current situation and to plan the future of San Marino healthcare.
How do you plan to meet the health and long-term care needs of an aging population? San Marino, thanks also to the health system of the past, is one of the longest-lived countries in the world; will it be able to maintain this record? Is there also a risk of privatization of a large part of San Marino healthcare? The private individual does not prevent, but treats diseases not for philanthropy but only to obtain a profit. Retirees reaffirm the need, as demonstrated by the current pandemic, to consolidate public health, universal and free for all, financed by general taxation, restoring its functionality.
There is increasing talk of a managerial management of San Marino healthcare, but what does this mean? If we refer to the management of available resources avoiding waste and / or unnecessary expenses, we agree; in any case, health care cannot be seen as a cost, but as an investment. It always needs assistance that the per capita cost of health care in San Marino is one of the lowest in Europe. Currently in San Marino the expenditure for the ISS is equal to 7.4% of GDP, a percentage similar to Italy, but below France, Germany which are 12%, and even lower than in the Nordic countries.
IGR reform
In the last press conference, the Secretary for Finance reiterated that 2022 will be the year of reforms, in particular of the 2013 law on general income tax, which will undergo adjustments that could increase revenue – we are talking about 15 / 20 million – without burdening citizenship. We will then understand, upon receiving the proposals, how this is possible.
For the moment, a review of tax deductions and deductions has been announced, the result of which would still lead to more taxes. This reform will finally have to give a turning point towards equity in the country; we expect the introduction of effective assessment tools that allow the emergence of all income possessed, so that everyone contributes to the expenses of the state according to their abilities. This will be crucial for the financing of health and social care, as well as for the type of pension reform. In fact, 2022 should also be the year of the social security reform, after it was due to be imminent in the last 3 – 4 years. In the meetings of 2021 some proposals emerged, and we expect shortly the resumption of a confrontation in which pensioners and the union will all do their part.
Public debt and state budget – Large debtors
FUPS reiterates the great demand for the huge state debt caused mainly by bank debts. The 340 million obtained from the sale of government bonds served once again for the banking system and current spending; very few resources have been allocated to families and businesses in difficulty. The FUPS-CSdL Board asks for the establishment of a fund for non self-sufficiency aimed not only at the elderly, but which can provide valid help to every person in difficulty. It is imperative to know the large debts towards both banks and the state; the perpetrators of a problem that will have its negative effects for the whole country for a long time to come cannot be kept hidden.
Justice
Retirees know of trials what may be the effect on trials in a lawsuit of introducing third-instance judgment; already the changes at the top of the court and the rotation of judges have caused an undeniable lengthening of the trials. Will this decree lead to further extensions or even the prescription? This is a danger that we absolutely must avoid; it is not possible that those who contributed to burying the country remain in absolute impunity.
In essence, the very strong health for the general situation of the country emerged in the FUPS – CSdL Directive, in particular as regards the state of health and the large accumulated debt. Retirees therefore believe that incisive action is necessary that also include forms of agitation and trade union mobilization.