The Health Law enters the Senate. This project initially developed by the Minister of Health Marisol Touraine in 2012 has already been voted by the National Assembly in April 2015. The text has since undergone numerous modifications, particularly during the month of July 2015 by the Senate’s Social Affairs Commission. This law contains more than 1,000 amendments, several of which fuel controversy and are the subject of numerous public debates.
The Senate is already planning to oppose in particular two controversial measures. First of all, the generalization of third-party payment which plans to avoid patients having to advance consultation fees. This amendment had also motivated during the past year several strikes by doctors who are mostly hostile to it. They fear that this provision will lead to an administrative overload and delays in payment from the Health Insurance and complementary health insurance.
Furthermore, the senators disagree with the amendment concerning the neutral package which recently prompted French tobacconists to demonstrate en masse. The Senate proposes that cigarette packets should be 65% covered with health warnings but that the logo or brand name should remain on them.
This reading by the Senate will last until October 2, before a solemn vote on October 6. The text will then be examined by a mixed chamber, bringing together seven senators and seven deputies, responsible for finding an agreement on the entire project. If they fail, French law provides that the National Assembly has the last word.
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