The article by Brenna and Spandonaro on interregional mobility for acute hospital care in Italy raises important issues concerning social and territorial equity in a healthcare system. Based on Regions and private providers’ strategic behavior, the hypothesis adopted to explain patient cross-border mobility (CBM), demonstrated by statistical analysis, may be further explored using qualitative methods. In order to reduce CBM, the central government needs to play a more active role in coordination, even in a highly decentralized National Health Service (NHS). © 2015 by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

Patient choice Managed competition Patient mobility Decentralization Italian National Health Service (NHS)

statistics and numerical data health service utilization Emigration and Immigration Humans health services migration organization and management human private sector public health National Health Programs