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Hardening subnational budget constraints via administrative subordination: The Italian experience of recovery plans in regional health services

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  • Massimo Bordignon
  • Silvia Coretti
  • Massimiliano Piacenza
  • Gilberto Turati

Abstract

Since 2007, Italian regions running large deficits underwent recovery plans (Piani di Rientro) imposed by the central government. The goal was twofold: regions were asked (i) to restore a balanced budget and (ii) to continue supply the set of services defined by the constitution. We investigate whether recovery plans have reached their objectives. Our evidence suggests that recovery plans have proved to be an effective mechanism to eliminate subnational governments deficits. We also do not find any significant effects on health care utilization and on citizens' health. Overall, spending efficiency has likely improved.

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  • Massimo Bordignon & Silvia Coretti & Massimiliano Piacenza & Gilberto Turati, 2020. "Hardening subnational budget constraints via administrative subordination: The Italian experience of recovery plans in regional health services," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(11), pages 1378-1399, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:29:y:2020:i:11:p:1378-1399
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4138
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    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Chris Sampson’s journal round-up for 2nd November 2020
      by Chris Sampson in The Academic Health Economists' Blog on 2020-11-02 12:00:08

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    2. Guccio, C. & Pignatora, G. & Vidoli, F., 2023. "It never rains but it pours: Austerity and mortality rate in peripheral areas," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 23/02, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    3. Guccio, Calogero & Pignataro, Giacomo & Romeo, Domenica & Vidoli, Francesco, 2024. "Is austerity good for efficiency, at least? A counterfactual assessment for the Italian NHS," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    4. Cristian Barra & Raffaele Lagravinese & Roberto Zotti, 2022. "Exploring hospital efficiency within and between Italian regions: new empirical evidence," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 269-284, June.
    5. Cirulli, Vanessa & Marini, Giorgia, 2023. "Are austerity measures really distressing? Evidence from Italy," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    6. Giovanni Carnazza & Raffaele Lagravinese & Paolo Liberati & Irene Torrini, 2024. "Monetary flows for health mobility: The Italian NHS from a network perspective," SERIES 01-2024, Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza - Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", revised Mar 2024.
    7. Sebastian Blesse & Florian Dorn & Max Lay, 2023. "Do Fiscal Rules Undermine Public Investments? A Review of Empirical Evidence," ifo Working Paper Series 393, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    8. Sebastian Blesse & Florian Dorn & Max Lay, 2023. "Schwächen Fiskalregeln öffentliche Investitionen?," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 76(06), pages 22-28, June.
    9. Sergio Beraldo & Michela Collaro & Immacolata Marino, 2020. "Do Harder Local Budget Constraints Affect Patient Mobility?," CSEF Working Papers 580, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.

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