We compare health system responses to the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and Spain. In both countries …, healthcare is managed at the regional level, but the central government behaved differently in the uncertainty surrounding the … first wave, leaving more autonomy to regional governments in Italy than in Spain. Upon documenting national and regional …

. In this paper we exploit a reform aimed at increasing regional tax autonomy in Italy to provide quasi …

rationing public healthcare in Italy. We measure demand elasticities by estimating a simultaneous equation model of GP primary …, so that user charges act as a net deterrent for over-consumption. The public provision of healthcare does not induce the …

rationing public healthcare in Italy. We measure demand elasticities by estimating a simultaneous equation model of GP primary … specialists, so that user charges act as a net deterrent for over-consumption. The public provision of healthcare does not induce …