The semiconductor crisis also affects the health card. No microchips on the new cards. But the state has thought of an alternative.
The old saying about the risks run by “those who leave the old way” can be considered true. But the parallel saying is also true, namely that “nothing ventured does not win”.
In practice, sometimes it is necessary to take the benefit of the doubt to take new paths. Ever since they weren’t prolific. However, in recent years we have come to experiment with technologies that they definitely go above and beyond of simple functionality. For example, a Polish company has experimented with a first chip to be inserted under the skin and to be connected to a bank account, so as to make payments simply by placing the wrist on a contactless device. Science fiction stuff until recently. And viewed with legitimate fear, as the thought of having a smart device in your hand, whether you want it or not, is considered an overkill.
Also because the cards, after all, are gaining acceptance. Contactless payment as well but only through physical means and, above all, external to us. In fact, there are enough microchips. And all part of a rather heated debate, as they are positioned in devices such as smartphones, computers and other widely used tools. Recently, these instruments have been the protagonists of an even more heated controversy, fueled by the crisis experienced by the pandemic emergency, which has led to an increase in costs and, consequently, to a shortage of these products. And speaking of magnetic cards, a particular situation is concerning the health card. From 1 June, the state has started to forward the new ones but this is not the news.
New health card, watch out for deadlines (and not just those)
A peculiarity concerns the new health card: it does not have a microchip, which is useful for accessing the digital services of the public administration. Basically, the new card would not be able to perform some of those functions that, in this case, had characterized the instrument. A big problem. The cards with imminent expiry it will be better to keep them for a while longer, especially if the termination of the utility was set at 2023. The deficit of the new cards is not linked to errors but the result of the difficulty of finding this component. A little, clearly, in a small way, what is happening in the automotive sector, often held back by the absence of these devices. The state, in any case, has tried not to be caught unprepared and has ordered a sort of legislation to protect citizens.
Which brings us back to what has just been said, namely the need to keep the old health card. Which will still be valid even if they have expired. A temporary solution of course, waiting for the emergency to fall within controllable ranks. The old cards can still be used until 2023, to all intents and purposes as a national services card. Anyone who will receive the Health Card without the typical golden square (the microchip) will not have to think about errors but will be faced with the reflection of the crisis in the semiconductor sector. Which, until recently, could hardly have entered so decisively into people’s daily lives.
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