French Health Minister Unveils Major Reforms to Cut €5.5 Billion in Healthcare Spending

In a pivotal interview with *Le Monde*, French Health Minister Catherine Vautrin detailed ambitious reforms aimed at diminishing the nation’s healthcare expenditures by €5.5 billion in 2025. These proposals intend to shift the financial responsibility for healthcare towards patients and employers while instigating a cultural shift regarding the perception of health insurance in France.

Key reform measures include the doubling of medical franchises—the non-reimbursable costs patients incur—raising the annual limit from €48 to €96 (€100 as cited by some sources), while maintaining a monthly cap of €8. Vautrin emphasized the need to end the misconception that health insurance is entirely free, stating, "Il faut arrêter avec cette idée que l’Assurance-maladie, 'c’est gratuit, j’y ai droit.'"

Another significant reform addresses sick leave policies. The proposed changes suggest a transfer of a part of the financial burden for sick leave from the state to employers, particularly for absences between the four and seventh days where employers may be required to cover costs. This aligns with an effort to enforce limits on the initial duration of sick leave prescriptions, with proposed maximums set at 15 days for general prescriptions and one month for patients transitioning from hospital care.

The proposed reforms also aim to modify the handling of long-term illness (ALD) benefits, allowing for a streamlined exit from this coverage upon recovery. Vautrin noted that the government plans to review the 100% reimbursement policy related to certain treatments and medications connected with ALD. To enhance preventive care, she announced plans to make influenza vaccinations mandatory for nursing home residents, where current vaccination uptake is noted at 85%.

These reforms come in light of Prime Minister François Bayrou’s call for greater financial accountability within the healthcare sector, pressing for the private costs borne by citizens to be more reflective of the expenses incurred by the state. The overarching goal of these measures is to reshape the French healthcare landscape, fostering a system that encourages more responsible healthcare spending by both patients and providers.