Abstract

This article analyzes the introduction of essential levels of social services (LEPS) for longterm care (LTC) within the 2022 Budget Law. Despite growing population ageing, the Italian LTC system is characterized by persistent structural weaknesses concerning the coverage of care needs for dependent older persons. Against this background, the introduction of LEPS represents a first crucial step in terms of institutional change. However, such change could be undermined by the specific way through which the LEPS introduction and its funding have been regulated within the 2022 Budget Law.