Overview
- The Congress convalidated the Government's real decreto-ley on May 28 by a 164–33–149 vote and unanimously agreed to convert it into an urgent bill for parliamentary processing.
- The reform replaces three income tranches with six and creates monthly spending caps for people with annual incomes under €35,000, including caps of €8.23 for incomes up to €9,000, €18.52 for €9,000–€17,999 and €61.75 for €18,000–€34,999.
- Pensioner rules are adjusted with a new middle band for €18,000–€60,000, revised monthly caps and an automatic exemption for pensioners who receive minimum-complement supplements to protect benefits after revaluations.
- The measure is legally in force but will be implemented progressively because applying income-linked caps requires cross-checking and updating fiscal data between the Tax Agency, Social Security and regional health services and upgrading IT systems.
- The government says the reform will cost an estimated €265.63 million and aims to lower patient payments, improve adherence for polimedicated and chronically ill people, and cut avoidable hospital and emergency care that result from treatment abandonment.