A prominent Italian doctor has taken to social media to praise the medical care provided to injured American skiing star Lindsey Vonn in Italy, while simultaneously delivering pointed criticism of the United States healthcare system and its political figures.
Social Media Commentary on Healthcare Disparities
Matteo Bassetti, the head of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Policlinico San Martino University Hospital in Genoa and a former Yale University School of Medicine scholar, posted on Instagram to send Vonn his "best wishes for a speedy recovery" following her return to the United States after crashing out of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
However, Bassetti quickly shifted to a more critical tone, adding a direct dig at former President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside commentary on the overall healthcare situation in America.
"We Take Care of Everyone"
"Vonn was able to appreciate Italy's extraordinary public healthcare system, which took care of her with three surgical procedures," Bassetti wrote. "In Italy, unlike in her country, we take care of everyone: rich or poor, VIPs or nobodies, Americans or Italians. If she gets the chance, she should explain to Trump and Kennedy Jr. what it means to take care of those who are ill."
The doctor shared this message with his 396,000 followers, accompanying it with a photograph of Vonn receiving treatment in an Italian hospital. In a subsequent post responding to criticism, Bassetti clarified his position, stating he "didn't write that in America they only treat those who have money" but instead "wrote (and it's quite a different thing) that in Italy we treat everyone, unlike in the USA, thanks to our extraordinary national health system."
Personal Experience with American Healthcare
Drawing from his professional background, Bassetti elaborated on his perspective. "Even if you have nothing and have no insurance policy whatsoever, not only do you get treated in an emergency, but also for elective procedures," he continued. "I worked in the USA and I know very well, because I saw it with my own eyes, that certain surgical procedures and certain therapies (including those for HIV and cancer) are not performed or provided if you are not insured."
History of Criticism
This is not the first time Bassetti has voiced criticism of American healthcare. Earlier in the week, he commented that "thanks to the #antivax thinking of those who govern it," the United States has become "Measles Country." He added, "If we were an advanced country (from a health perspective), we would require Americans to be vaccinated before entering Italy."
Furthermore, the doctor called out President Joe Biden in 2024 when the then-president was photographed boarding Air Force One without a mask, despite having just tested positive for COVID-19. Bassetti's consistent critiques highlight his ongoing concerns about public health policies and accessibility in the United States compared to Italy's universal healthcare model.
The incident underscores broader debates about healthcare equity and the role of public systems in ensuring medical care for all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status or insurance coverage.
