The regulation of the installation of doctors passes a course in the Assembly – Liberation
The French are struggling more and more about finding a doctor. So to fight against medical deserts, the deputies adopted Wednesday April 2 the flagship article ofa transpartisan bill, aimed at regulating the installation of doctors on the territory, examining the rest of the text being scheduled for early May. « Six million French people are without a doctor, eight million French people live in a medical desert »hammered Guillaume Garot (PS), on the initiative of the bill since 2022 with a Transpartisan group (more than 250 Cosignary deputies, from LR to LFI). An inequality that creates a « Deleterious feeling for our Republic who failed in his promise of equality of all before health », he argued.
The article adopted would regulate the installation of liberal or employee doctors, who should request the approval of the Regional Health Agency (ARS). It would be granted by law in an area which experiences a deficit of caregivers, but in the better provided territories, the doctor could only settle when another leaves. The article, narrowly deleted in committee, was restored with a comfortable majority in the hemicycle (155 votes to 85), despite the government’s opposition.
« A shortage of doctors, even potentially regulated, remains a shortage »argued the Minister of Health Yannick Neuder (LR), referring to a risk of deconventation (not to undertake to follow the prices set by health insurance), of departures of doctors abroad, and a « Loss of attractiveness of medical exercise ». It is a « False good idea » Who « Would only worsen the very heart of the shortage: the lack of attractiveness of the profession »abounded the deputy Joëlle Mélin (RN), whose group is the only one to have voted unanimously against. « Regulation must be tried because it brings in it justice and equality to the care of our fellow citizens »retorted Jérôme Nury (LR).
About fifteen organizations from the main representatives of liberal doctors had opposed the measure in a statement last week, saying that a regulation « Coercive » would have « Counterproductive effects » on access to care. Arguments rejected by defenders of the bill: « Doctors will have freedom of installation on 87 % of the territory »insisted Philippe Vigier (MoDem).
Prime Minister François Bayrou said he was in favor of a form of « regulation« , But called to build a solution plan including all the actors, by the end of April. The debates have occasionally stretched out Wednesday when Minister Yannick Neuder hovered the threat of « Cut (r) discussions » In the event of the adoption of the article on regulation. Thibault Bazin (LR), he questioned the methodology to enclose the installation, stressing that the cutting in the ARS zone is only updated every two years and that it does not concern « Doctors specialists ».
In response, the Transpartisan group had the principle of a « Territorial indicator of the care offer »updated each year, based on « Medical time available by patient » and the specifics of each territory. Debates on the rest of the text, which provides for an abolition of prices for patients without attending physicians, or the restoration of an obligation to participate in the permanence of care (care of patients outside the opening hours of liberal firms), must resume the week of May 5.
