Health. Medical deductibles doubled? No decision before Monday, according to Bayrou

The Prime Minister hinted on RTL on Friday that his government would not attempt to publish the decrees increasing medical deductibles before its probable fall on Monday.

In mid-July, François Bayrou announced his intention to double the annual ceiling on medical deductibles from 50 to 100 euros, the sums that remain the responsibility of social security policyholders for boxes of medication, paramedical services, medical transport and medical consultations.

"Not in a hidden way"

Asked on RTL about the possibility of signing these decrees before Monday, François Bayrou replied that he would not "do things in a covert and abrupt manner." "I will support this idea," and "I am sure that decisions will be made in the coming weeks," he continued.

In detail, the government wants to increase the two ceilings in force from 50 to 100 euros: the one on deductibles on boxes of medicines, paramedical acts and medical transport, and the one on fixed contributions on medical consultations.

He also wants to double the amount of these deductibles, for example to 2 euros per box for medicines, or 8 euros for medical transport.

Strong opposition

This measure is part of his 44 billion savings plan to limit public deficits, but it is denounced by unions and patient associations because it particularly affects those most in need of care.

"I solemnly call on the Prime Minister to renounce this decree," Sophie Binet , the general secretary of the CGT, had castigated on Tuesday. "We cannot at the same time say: 'I submit to a vote of confidence' and at the same time, move forward at a forced pace and want to force through the measures of his budget discreetly and surreptitiously by decree, it is shameful."

The National Health Insurance Fund's board, a sort of health insurance parliament where social partners sit, voted against the measure on Thursday, but its opinion is only advisory.