Private spending on healthcare is growing, businesses act as a 'shock absorber'
The picture that emerged at the HRC Community summit: private healthcare spending rises to 41 billion while companies make up for the public's shortfalls.
Quick Look
- At the Future@Work 2026 summit it emerged that 5.8 million Italians are giving up treatment.
- With an NHS under pressure, companies intervene as social safety nets, offering welfare that correlates with turnover growth of up to 29.8%.
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Why It Matters
Italy's National Health Service faces growing financial pressures, leading citizens to reduce access to care.
According to data presented at the Future@Work 2026 summit by HRC Community, 5.8 million Italians are giving up treatment, while direct private healthcare spending has reached 41 billion euros, only 13% of which are covered by policies or supplementary funds. Faced with a National Health Service "under pressure", companies increasingly find themselves acting as a "shock absorber" and vicar of the State.
This is the picture that emerged during the event that brought together over 100 personnel directors at the INPS in Rome today. According to the Welfare Observatory 2026 by Edenred Italia with Ipsos Doxa, presented during the event, 81% of workers are worried about the cost of living and 83% have given up at least one activity in the last year due to higher costs. Three out of four workers, and 83% of women, suffer from the burden of care burdens, especially in the "sandwich generation" between 40 and 60 years old who are often dealing with children and elderly parents. Companies with structured welfare, however, record higher turnover by up to 29.8%.
For Alessio Belli (Fincantieri) the company also takes the place of local authorities in the integration of foreign workers.
Open Questions
- What specific measures will the State take to ease the pressure on the NHS?
- How will the sustainability of corporate welfare evolve in the long term?
