The Prime Minister wants to put prevention at the heart of the national health strategy. And medical students will be involved.
“Prevention will be the backbone of the national health strategy discussed in the fall. These words sum up the spirit of the Prime Minister’s policy speech. Before the National Assembly, this July 4, Edouard Philippe unveiled the main lines of his roadmap. Without going into too much detail, neither on the measures, nor on the calendar.
The program of Emmanuel Macron’s government is rather attractive in terms of prevention. And the Prime Minister has put the package in the fight against tobacco.
One of its flagship measures will be applied to the tobacco gradually: by the end of the five-year term, the packet of cigarettes will cost 10 euros. At the same time, the State will have to develop the hunt for “trafficking which undermines this health policy as much as it weakens those who respect the law”, in the words of Edouard Philippe.
The head of government also relies on the vaccination. For several months, cases of measles have resurfaced in various regions. “In Pasteur’s homeland, this is not admissible,” laments the minister. The vaccination obligation will therefore, from next year, be extended to all the strains recommended for children – against three currently.
The end of inequalities
Prevention also means facilitating access to care, by combating inequalities and reducing costs for the patient. But the Prime Minister is more vague on this subject. It promises the end of the rest to charge for the eyeglasses, the dental care and has themhearing aids. But this will be effective “by the end of the five-year term”.
In a press release, the National Confederation of Dental Trade Unions (CNSD) welcomes this announcement with lukewarmness. “Before considering zero remains dependent, the government will have to tackle the problem from the right end, starting by correcting the tariff inconsistencies,” warns the CNSD.
Still with a view to reducing inequalities, the head of government wants to improve the maternity leave and childcare solutions. Without saying more about his projects. Likewise, the allowances granted to People with Disabilities or elderly will be upgraded “from 2018”. And if the minister pleads in favor of an increased inclusion of people with disabilities, in the educational and professional career, he remains silent on the means of achieving it.
Reform of the healthcare system
Edouard Philippe wants to engage in real in-depth work. This autumn, a review of the national health strategy will be carried out, in particular on the occasion of the law on the financing of social security (LFSS). The course has already been set: renovation and preservation of the social security system. But room is left for improvements in terms of coordination.
The action of health professionals “is too often hampered by the rigidities of our structures, administrative constraints, functioning in silos”, according to the Prime Minister. It therefore proposes a review of the Care course, which will need to be more structured and flexible. Alongside this structural reform, “new incentives and new forms of remuneration” are planned. They will be debated during the LFSS.
But the Minister of Health will take a step ahead. In September, a plan to fight medical deserts will be launched. Telemedicine, currently being tested, should find a place there.
Finally, health students themselves will see their training evolve. Edouard Philippe, in accordance with the president’s campaign promises, wants to establish a sanitary service. Future doctors would therefore be sent to schools and businesses to work on prevention with the French.
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