Rome, August 3, 2005

Health expenditure monitoring

Review of decrees implementing sub-paragraphs 5 and 9 of Art. 50

law decree No. 269 of September 30, 2003, turned, with amendments, into law No. 326 of November 24, 2003

The Ministry of Economy and Finance, following the outcome of the Healthcare Card experimental project, that had been already carried out in the Abruzzo, Umbria, Emilia Romagna and Veneto regions, as laid down under art. 50, sub paragraph 6, issued two new decrees that modify the decrees implementing sub paragraphs 5 and 9 of art. 50:

- decree of July 22, 2005, issued in agreement with the Ministry of Health, implementing sub paragraph 9 of the aforementioned art. 50, modifies the previous decree (June 28, 2004 - Official Gazette No. 251 of 25/10/2004), concerning telematic forwarding of public health expenditure data to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) by Regional Authorities, Ministries and other public bodies. This review is aimed at introducing some technical changes to the data flow track records that should be sent to MEF;

- decree of July 27, 2005, implementing sub paragraph 5 of the aforementioned art. 50, modifies the previous decree (June 24, 2004 - Official Gazette No. 162 of 13.07.04), concerning technical parameters for the development of certified software to be installed in healthcare service providing facilities (pharmacies, outpatient clinics, etc.). This review is aimed at adjusting data flow technical parameters and the related modalities for data transmission to the MEF, also taking into account the recent regulatory changes to sub paragraphs 7 and 8 of the aforementioned art. 50.