The French government's plan to raise co-payments for medical consultations has faced strong opposition from doctors' unions.
General practitioners argue that the increase in co-payments will not result in any real savings and will leave patients with a higher out-of-pocket expense.
This change is particularly concerning for the 2.5 million French citizens without supplementary health insurance, who may struggle to afford necessary medical care.
The Union Française pour une Médecine Libre (UFML) goes further, expressing fears about the potential for a two-tier healthcare system that limits access to quality care based on financial capacity.
The economic implications of the increased co-payments are also highlighted, with warnings of higher labor costs and potential impacts on corporate competitiveness and employment levels.
Mutual insurance providers are concerned about the financial burden this measure will place on supplementary health insurance, potentially leading to higher premiums and some households dropping their coverage.
The unions agree that the increase in co-payments could worsen existing healthcare inequalities, as vulnerable populations may be forced to delay or forgo necessary treatments.
They see this policy shift as a challenge to the solidarity model of the French healthcare system and call for collective action to defend equitable access to healthcare.
In light of the criticism, there is a need for discussions on alternative strategies to balance Social Security accounts without compromising access to care.
Constructive dialogue is crucial to finding solutions that uphold the principles of the healthcare system while ensuring its financial sustainability.