188 votes in favor, 147 votes against. The result of the senators’ vote allowed the adoption at first reading of the Social Security draft budget for 2016. More than 26 hours of debate were necessary to validate a new version of the text which, if adopted in a new reading by the Assembly, will allow the implementation of the government’s roadmap. This is clear: to save money to reduce “the security hole” and bring it back below the 10 billion euros mark.
Consideration of the Health bill in the Assembly was postponed until early next week due to the attacks.
The 2016 draft budget provides in particular for the establishment of a “universal health protection”to facilitate administrative procedures, during a change of address for example. The text also includes measures intended to facilitate access to contraception for minors. The PLFSS also marks the establishment of a mechanism which extends the right to complementary health care for the most modest. A symbolic measure which aims to limit the renunciation of medical care while currently one in four French people has already given up on treatment for lack of money.
Changes to the text
The new version of the draft budget also confirms modificationssuch as the gradual increase in the retirement age set at 63 on January 1, 2019 (for generations born after January 1, 1957).
The text also provides for the advance of the date of payment of the birth premium (to pay it before the birth of the child).
To fight against medical deserts, the Senate voted partial exemption from the old age contribution for retired doctors working in under-dense areas. Objective stated: “to make the combination of employment and retirement more attractive”.
>> To read also:Hospitals equipped to face possible chemical attacks