Health Care: Political Courage for Fundamental Reform

Article published in Les Echos, No. 24319, October 17, 2024

A reduction in public spending can be achieved effectively provided we take the time to implement structural reforms. But rushing the process generally leads to measures that will weigh on growth and increase inequality. What the government is preparing to do in the healthcare sector is a good illustration of this.

According to its announcements, while the fee for a visit to a primary care physician is set to rise to 30 euros, health insurance will reimburse only 60% (compared to 70% currently), with the remainder covered by supplemental health insurance plans. Admittedly, this should reduce the Social Security deficit by 1 billion euros, and some of the lowest-income households will not be affected, since this will not apply to those receiving C2S (complementary solidarity health insurance) or those classified as having a long-term illness (ALD). However, this is not a matter of increased efficiency, but rather a simple shift of expenses from the taxpayer to the user, which will nonetheless reduce household budgets (due to rising private health insurance premiums) and limit access to healthcare for those with the lowest incomes.

Read more in Les Echos.

Useful links:

• Health Center.

Illustration: Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash.