The deafening silence of the Italian Ministry of Health
As citizens, stakeholder and users of our National Health Service,  we are very concerned about the deafening silence of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economy, after the presentation of the XVI PiT Health Report of the Tribunal for Patients' Rights-Cittadinanzattiva entitled "Less health care for all, the creeping reform",  presented on 16 July in Rome.
As citizens, how should we interpret this silence? Does it confirm that we have "hit the mark" and this is the real political design, that of a creeping reform?
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By Tonino Aceti, national coordinator of the Tribunal for Patients' Rights-Cittadinanzattiva

Italy: I ° Report on civil disability and bureaucracy
The real Disabled penalized by the fight to the not entitled few. A year of waiting for the economic benefits, lack of computerization and too many bureaucratic steps do the rest. These among the key findings from I ° Report on disability and civil bureaucracy edited by Cittadinanzattiva. Read more and download the Report (Italian version)

More information:
“I’m a VIP, Very Invalid people” campaign promoted by Cittadinanzattiva

Italy: Less health care for all, the creeping reform
Presented in Italy by the Tribunal for Patients' Rights-Cittadinanzattiva the Annual Report on Health seen by citizens. Waiting lists, ticket and access to services more and more difficult. Read more and download the Report (Italian version)

Health systems compared: the continuing stagnation in spending
Published "OECD Health Data 2013", a comprehensive source of comparable statistics on health systems across OECD countries. An important tool to make comparative analyzes and draw lessons from international comparisons. Read more

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Appeal for solidarity: Serious problems faced by cancer patients in Cyprus
By Association of Cancer Patients and Relatives

The registers of rare diseases in Europe: Updates
The patient registries and databases are of fundamental importance to develop clinical research in the field of rare diseases, to improve patient care and health planning. Here is the updated page of European Commission

Health and the elderly: European award for five Italian regions
Campania, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Piedmont were awarded by European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes responsible for the Digital Agenda, for the excellence of their initiatives in favor of the third age. Read more (Italian version)

Italy: Prize "Nottola - Mario Luzi" on the clinical pain: selected winners
Published the names of the winners of the fifth edition of the "Nottola - Mario Luzi" dedicated to projects related to the management of clinical pain. Among the participants in the various sections, health professionals, graduates and young researchers. Have also been made ​​known 6 honorable mentions. Read more (Italian version)

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The Engagement of Cittadinanzattiva in the Fight against Useless Pain

Cross-Border Healthcare: The Manifesto
Active Citizenship Network drafted a Manifesto for the implementation of the Right of European Patients to make an informed choice,  because we believe that the implementation of this principle, contained in the Directive on Cross Border Care, shall allow all patients to access services better adapted to their personal requirements, both abroad and in their own country/region. Read more and subscribe it!

EU at crossroads on new medical devices legislation
It is under discussion in the European Parliament a directive updating about all procedures (testing, safety, put on the market, etc.) related to medical devices. The focus of patients' associations is pointed on safety and on September 18 the Health Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on the proposed amendments. Read more

Italy: “Energy intermittently", the Annual Report by Cittadinanzattiva
Unclear bills and mind-boggling adjustments: these are the “voices fixed” that unite the billing of electricity, gas, water and waste, and bring into serious difficulties for Italian families already struggling with the crisis and the collapse of income. Read more and download the Report (Italian version)

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Bills, crisis, trasparency: will the consumer save us? By Tina Napoli, National Coordinator of the Network of Consumer Policies Cittadinanzattiva

Europe taking a step backwards on water privatization
The European Commissioner Michel Barnier is opposed to the privatization of water services and sign a statement that meets European Citizens' Initiative "Right2Water" asking that water resources are put out of business. Read more

"Waste-smART": creative competition
Do you have better ideas on how to recycle waste, reduce and reuse them? The European Environment Agency urges Europeans to participate in giving free rein to creativity with photographs, cartoons or videos. The prize for each of the three categories is 500 €. Read more and look at the video

DG for the Environment: Consultation on Access to justice in environmental matters
Contributions are sought from citizens and other stakeholders, including environmental associations, business representatives, legal professionals, the academia, national, regional and local administrations, including those dealing with courts and similar bodies. The consultation ends on 23st September, 2013. Read more

Active Citizenship Network new associated partner of the European Mobility Week
The European Commission DG Environment has included as associated partner of the European Mobility Week also Active Citizenship Network, committed in 2013 to coordinate in 8 countries the European project “Mobility, a paradigm of European citizenship”. Read more

Commission acts to improve consumer rights for 120 million holiday makers
As the summer season kicks off, the European Commission is taking action to improve protection for holiday makers by modernizing EU rules on package holidays. Read more

Good practices concerning mobility from a civic point of view
Is it taking place in your city a good practice in terms of public transport and sustainable mobility? Participate in the collection of good practices initiated in Europe as part of the Mobility. The best experiences will be brought to the attention of the European institutions at the end of 2013. Do you want to report on Good Practice? Read More. Sign in database

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Good practice: the policy of Cittadinanzattiva

EU investment for education and youth employability pays off, OECD report confirms
This is confirmed by the report from the OECD, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which examines the educational systems of thirty OECD member countries, of which twenty-one are the EU Member States, as well as Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.  Read more

5th September 2013, Rome: Summer school for civic Leader on Health Technology Assessment
The second edition of the Summer School is organized by Cittadinanzattiva and it is addressed to 25 representatives of associations of citizens and patients and among the main objectives is to encourage the participation of citizens qualified to the entire evaluation cycle HTA. Read more

4th-5th September 2013, Brussels: EPHA 4th Annual Conference 2013
On 4th and 5th September 2013 the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) will celebrate 20 years of helping shape Europe’s public health. EPHA is using this milestone as an opportunity to look at how we can foster an EU that is coherent in its decisions, in terms of fostering the health and well-being of people living in Europe. Read more

17th September, Brussels: Cross-Border Healthcare Workshop
The workshop will give the possibility to find out how stakeholders in different member states are dealing with the implementation. Read more