"The situation for families and cooperatives is increasingly worrying, brought to their knees by the interruption of financial assistance from INPS, for the reimbursement of expenses for a family assistant and for home care services from social workers, physiotherapists, and other professionals, for hundreds of dependents." Claudia Zuncheddu of the Sardinian Network for the Defense of Public Health highlighted this in a press release . "Due to omissions, absences, and denials of responsibility by the INPS Central Credit and Welfare Directorate, families and cooperatives have been in debt since July to ensure continuity of care for their patients."

"It is serious and incomprehensible," Claudia Zuncheddu continues, "that, due to a problem with an online platform, INPS has uninhibitedly blocked payments of the HCP (Home Care Premium) for caregivers and additional services for seven months, creating serious hardship for families and cooperatives, putting numerous jobs at risk, and worsening the health conditions of thousands of vulnerable people."

"After strong pressure, INPS," the statement continues, "has reportedly ordered the payment of arrears for the months of July, August, and September. This solution will not be effective without financial coverage from October to January. We do not want this technological glitch to be a political choice aimed at internalizing everything. Furthermore, a uniquely Sardinian problem, yet to be resolved, is that the so-called domestic help services, which according to INPS regulations must be provided by social care workers (OSA), a role that does not exist in Sardinia, risk INPS not paying what is due to our social care workers (OSS)."

"Although the payment freeze doesn't just affect Sardinia, we believe it's urgent that our regional institutions intervene, given the serious economic and social crisis underway on the island."

(Unioneonline)

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