After a little over an hour of debate, the deputies approved by show of hands the gradual generalization of third-party payment by 2017.
The National Assembly voted again this Friday, November 27 the gradual generalization of third-party payment by 2017. After an hour and a quarter of debate, the deputies finally adopted by show of hands the most controversial provision of the Health bill .
The application of third-party payment to all French people will be done in stages. From July 2016, patients covered 100% by social security for a long-term illness will no longer have to advance the costs of a consultation in town medicine. And from January 2017, all policyholders will be able to benefit from it.
“Is it not conceivable that the same simplicity applies when a patient goes to his doctor, as it already applies when he goes, for example, to a laboratory for biological analyzes or to a radiologist? »Asked Marisol Touraine.
Deputies wind up
Presented as a measure of justice and equality by the Minister of Health, Marisol Touraine and the majority, this dispostion is decried by the unions of liberal doctors and many members of the opposition.
The latter describe the third-party payment as a system that “removes responsibility” and produces paperwork. “Doctors do studies to cure; they are not there to carry out administrative procedures. But with this article, they will have to do more: that they do not want! », Declared Denis Jacquat, LR deputy and retired doctor.
Failing to be able to delete the text, elected officials then called for its postponement and the opening of negotiations with doctors. “Madam Minister, this reform of the third-party payment is too considerable, too important, to examine it thus on a Friday afternoon, just after the national homage to the Invalides. I come from Marseille, I take a motorcycle taxi, I arrive at the Assembly: I find an almost empty hemicycle! What will health professionals, especially doctors, think when they see that we have voted fifteen or twenty deputies a fundamental reform for our health system? This is not normal! Exclaimed a member of the Bouches-du-Rhône.
Strong hostility from unions
And in fact, the unions denounced a passage in force. Through the voice of its president, Jean-Paul Ortiz, the Confederation of French medical unions (CSMF) expressed its anger: “While the time has come to pay tribute to the victims, to respect and support the hundreds of families so severely affected, the Minister of Health passed her much-maligned health law, taking advantage of the state of emergency. The CSMF is indignant at this undemocratic method which will create lasting resentment among doctors ”. A hostility shared by many unions such as the Federation of Doctors of France (FMF), the unions of Liberal Doctors (SML) or MG France who have demonstrated together on several occasions.
Elected officials in favor of the generalization of third-party payment ensure that this measure is a step forward. “It removes a financial obstacle, and therefore goes in the right direction,” said Jacqueline Fraysse, deputy of the Democratic and Republican Left (GDR), while recognizing “that we must respond to the concerns expressed by doctors to implement this measure as soon as possible and under the best conditions. “
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