Interview: Doubling medical deductibles, “a hard blow for patients’ wallets”

With the draft decrees aiming to double the amount of deductibles and fixed contributions, what financial consequences can be expected?

"Already for the patient, the medical deductible, which was 50 cents per box of medication since 2008, has increased to 1 euro in March 2024 and will double again to reach 2 euros. This remaining charge was capped at 50 euros per year per patient until now, but it will increase to 100 euros. In addition, patients will now have to pay this deductible directly at the pharmacy counter, whereas before, the Health Insurance automatically deducted the cost from users of the health system through their reimbursements. Pharmacists do not seem inclined to change their way of working, so implementing software and new technologies to pay this deductible on site may even cost more than it brings in. It doesn't amount to much in the end, and it's especially a big blow to patients' wallets."

What is your reaction to this, as president of France Assos Santé?

"It's totally unfair, it's blaming a segment of the population that is already suffering: I'm talking about sick people. The only concrete measures being taken are against patients; it's totally unfair. We don't understand why the first to be financially affected and therefore penalized are always the patients, when there are so many, so many other ways to save money."

Last year, the annual ceilings were maintained. However, the daily and annual ceilings will now also double. This is even more detrimental to patients...

"It's clearly a double whammy. This year, the draft decrees no longer even concern themselves with protecting sick people. Amidst well-oiled speeches, it's always those who are forced to take medication daily to survive that the government punishes. Why wouldn't we take action on excess fees, for example? Or by taxing tobacco, alcohol, and sugary products more? The healthcare system won't improve with what's being done on the sly in the middle of summer. We need a deep, structural overhaul, and above all, we need to stop constantly hitting the same people. It's essential that all stakeholders make an effort, and in this case, we'll be ready to do so too."