ABSTRACT
The National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN) in Italy was established in 1978 and is mainly financed through general taxation. The SSN is committed to guaranteeing people resident in Italy (not only Italian citizens but also foreigners who hold a permit to stay in the country) a broad range of health services. The benefits package provided by the SSN includes preventive services, hospital care, family doctors, and specialist services. Dental care, rehabilitation, and vision care are, on the contrary, largely excluded. Two thirds of the healthcare funded by the SSN is issued by public suppliers (belonging to the SSN), while one third is provided by private suppliers holding special agreements with the public service.
