Majority doctors willing to strike against reforms Frank Vandenbroucke
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A majority of doctors are willing to take hard actions and even a strike against the reform plans of Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit). This is evident on Monday from a survey by the Medi atmosphere and the specialist in about 2,500 specialists and general practitioners. The willingness to take action is greater with French-speaking and non-ruled doctors.
Source: Belga
Today at 6:36 PM
The plans include the ceiling of the fee supplements of non-ordered doctors, the abolition of the partial convention and the possible withdrawal of the RIZIV number in the event of a violation. According to a medi sphere and the specialist, many doctors see that as an attack on their professional autonomy.
For example, 56 percent of the respondents believe that the bill does not contribute to more transparency in health care. Only 7 percent see a « very large » contribution. Eight out of ten doctors demand that the text is withdrawn and completely rewritten in consultation with the professional field. More than seven in ten doctors (71 percent) are of the opinion that the minister’s bill fully undermines the principle of free medicine.
The most important measures that are considered problematic are: the threat of withdrawal of the RIZIV number (59 percent), the limitation of the right to determine free fees (58 percent) and linking the financing of the medical unions to the convention percentage (22 percent).
More than half of the doctors (57 percent) say they are willing to be a temporary work break with minimal service if the situation does not change, 52 percent to an administrative strike and 45 percent to a total strike. If the text is assumed without changes, 79 percent of the doctors surveyed would participate in a national strike.
For 83 percent of respondents there is a risk that the bill will discourage young doctors from setting up or staying in Belgium.
