Interregional Patient Mobility in the Italian NHS: A Case of Badly-Managed Decentralization; Comment on “Regional Incentives and Patient Cross-Border Mobility: Evidence From the Italian Experience”

The article by Brenna and Spandonaro on interregional mobility for acute hospital care in Italy raises important issues concerning social and territorial equity in a healthcare system. Based on Regions and private providers’ strategic behavior, the hypothesis adopted to explain patient cross-border mobility (CBM), demonstrated by statistical analysis, may be further explored using qualitative methods. In order to reduce CBM, the central government needs to play a more active role in coordination, even in a highly decentralized National Health Service (NHS).