143 THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM The Ministry of Health is responsible for the administration of the Health Service, but much of the control has been passed on to the different Regions and to the local health authorities known as ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). Which country has the best healthcare system according to the World Health Organization? What are, in your opinion, the advantages of a digital health profile? The NHS in the UK was created in 1948 Healthcare in Europe EU countries are responsible for organising and delivering their health services and medical care. Therefore, EU health policies complement national policies to ensure health protection in all countries and work towards a stronger health Union. Reforms and challenges There have been a number of reforms to the SSN since the early 1990s: competition has been increased by allowing citizens to choose their healthcare provider; payments have been regularised using a Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) system and a small amount of copayment has been introduced; the digitalisation of the system and the creation of digital health profiles has been introduced. However, at the moment, the health care system in Italy is not in good health. The system is almost collapsing with long waiting lists, and the increasing ageing population requires more and more facilities to deal with physical and mental diseases. Healthcare in Italy The Italian National Healthcare Service (SSN, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) was created in 1978 to replace a previous system based on a multitude of insurance schemes. The SSN was modelled on the British National Health Service and has two fundamental principles: facility: struttura health profile: fascicolo sanitario provider: fornitore (riferito a sanit privata) 288 SOCIETy HELpS each Italian citizen and foreign resident has the right to healthcare; the system covers all necessary treatment. Healthcare in the UK The National Health Service (NHS) covers almost everything and, with few exceptions, is free for all UK residents. There is also private health, paid by private insurance, but it is used by less than 8% of the population.