Caregiver bill, text approved in the Chamber: opposition protests

"A response to families" for the majority, "a missed opportunity" for the opposition, which disputes the insufficiency of resources. With 153 votes in favor, 105 against and 4 abstentions, the Chamber approved the bill on family caregivers at first reading, which recognizes the social value of care provided to loved ones and introduces new protections. A starting point, according to the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, "from which there is no turning back". According to estimates, there are at least 7 million Italian men and women who take care of a sick, disabled or non-self-sufficient family member. A number destined to grow as the population ages. Often those who assist are forced to sacrifice their work and private life, with the risk of reaching burnout: a commitment that has so far not had organic recognition at a national level. The text recognizes the social value of care activity and introduces differentiated supports based on the intensity of care.

From 2013 to 2025 approximately 30 legislative proposals

This law starts from guaranteeing dignity and concrete support also from an economic point of view to those who have a 24-hour care burden. The protections are differentiated to guarantee support and measures of different intensity depending on the commitment required", explains Locatelli. From 2013 to 2025 there were around 30 legislative proposals on the topic, none of which reached final approval. "We are giving an answer that has been awaited for over twenty years to millions of people", states Ugo Cappellacci, president of the Social Affairs Commission of the Chamber, who supports the amendment which has "raised the ISEE threshold for accessing economic support from 15 thousand to 25 thousand euros". The resources are the main political battleground. The provision provides for 257 million euros in 2027 and 260 million per year from 2028.

For the opposition, resources are not sufficient

For the opposition, however, at least 940 million a year would be needed. "The Democratic Party votes against a law that creates disparity among the very people it is supposed to protect, leaving the burden of care and assistance on the shoulders of families", declares the leader of the Dem group in the Chamber Chiara Braga. Faced with millions of potential beneficiaries, he argues, "the law will only deal with a few tens of thousands" of people. Avs is also against it, denouncing an "obstacle course" and "poor economic measures for those who are already poor". For Daniela Ruffino, deputy of Action, "the majority has brought together only good intentions in a text that does not have sufficient financial backing". The text now passes to the Senate for examination. "We will continue to fight to change a law that provides support of up to 400 euros per month: just over one euro per hour", assures Marco Furfaro, national welfare manager of the Democratic Party. Also under scrutiny are the requirements, deemed too restrictive, to access protection, including cohabitation and at least 91 hours of assistance per week.