Tuscan superintendent Enrico Rossi is fighting to grant both legal and illegal immigrants the right to have full access to the regional health care system. Currently, illegal immigrants can receive emergency aid in state hospitals for pregnancy or life-threatening injuries or illness. However, if passed, Rossi’s proposed health card will allow them to have temporary access to doctors and other medical professionals for routine check-ups and other non-life-threatening situations.
Under the proposed law, the temporary health card would be given to those without valid work or living permits at any one of the regional Asl health desks. The law would also provide for weekly doctor’s visits to Rom campsites and medical assistance to tourists and other foreigners visiting the country for longer periods of time.
Several regional councilors contest the proposal. They, along with some on the centre-right, believe that the national policy of giving emergency aid to those ‘without valid papers’ is already in full accordance with human rights principles. They maintain that the costs of such an initiative would be a burden to the region and its taxpayers.
