title: 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".
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neri
mesh_terms: D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Decentralization; Italian National Health Service (NHS); Managed Competition; Patient Choice; Patient Mobility