The Island of Corsica: Where the Only Thing More Scarce Than the Medical Facilities is the Sense of Humor
Ah, Corsica, the land of sun-kissed beaches, stunning scenery, and… a complete lack of university hospitals. Who needs one of those, anyway? It’s not like they’re essential for, you know, saving lives and whatnot. (pauses for comedic effect)
But fear not, dear Corsicans! Your politicians are on the case! They’ve proposed a law (because, you know, laws are the answer to everything) that will ensure every region, including the lovely island of Corsica, has a university hospital by 2030. Because, you see, equality is all about having the same things as everyone else. It’s not about actually being treated with dignity and respect, but rather about having the same stuff. (smirking)
Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Apparently, around 28,000 Corsicans are forced to seek treatment on the continent each year. That’s a lot of plane tickets, folks! And I’m not even counting the cost of accommodation, food, and on-site expenses. It’s not exactly a holiday for these poor souls. I mean, who wants to spend their chemotherapy sessions thinking about the Airbnb bill? (Lee Evans-style incredulity)
Paul-André Colombani, the deputy for Corsica-du-Sud, declared that this is a "breach of the principle of equality." Ah, equality! That fancy concept that means we all get the same stuff, regardless of whether we actually need it or not. (winking) It’s like when I said, "I’ll have the soup, the sandwich, and the dessert, please. And make sure they’re all equally mediocre."
But wait, there’s more! The lovely Laurent Marcangeli chimed in, saying Corsica deserves the same infrastructure as the Continent. Ah, yes, because that’s exactly what they need – more infrastructure. I mean, who needs scenic views and pristine beaches when you can have a nice, shiny hospital? (Rowan Atkinson-esque exaggeration)
Now, I know what you’re thinking, "What about the cost?" Fear not, dear reader, for the bill haswide support from various politicians, including those from the left, center, and right. Because, you see, everyone loves a good hospital. It’s like a national pastime. "We must build more hospitals!" (Jimmy Carr-style deadpan) It’s like we’re trying to set a new record for most hospitals per capita. Who needs education, infrastructure, or economic growth when you can have a shiny new hospital?
But, let’s not forget François-Xavier Ceccoli’s wise words: "Corsica does not even have a PET-Scan, which is essential equipment in oncology." Ah, yes, because that’s exactly what they need – more equipment. I mean, who needs trained medical staff or proper facilities when you can have a fancy PET-Scan? (Ricky Gervais-style sarcasm)
In conclusion, the proposed law is a step in the right direction, or so it seems. Will it actually make a difference? Who knows? But one thing’s for sure – Corsica will soon have more hospitals than it knows what to do with. And if that doesn’t fix everything, I don’t know what will.
(satirical nod)
The Social Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly has taken a major step towards establishing a university hospital in Corsica, voting unanimously in favor of the proposed law (PPL) on November 26. This development comes ahead of the bill’s scheduled presentation in a public session on December 3. Notably, the law would address a significant geographical disparity, as Corsica remains the only region in France without a university hospital. The region’s residents currently face significant challenges in accessing specialized medical care, relying on continental hospitals for treatment.
The proposed legislation, championed by Corsica-du-Sud deputy Paul-André Colombani, stipulates that all regions, including Corsica, must have a university hospital by 2030. This law aims to rectify the inequality experienced by Corsica’s residents. In this context, it is worth noting that the region’s isolation necessitates substantial expenditures for mainland treatment.
“A break in equality”
“The primary objective of this PPL is to rectify the unjust and glaring breach of the principle of equality faced by Corsica, which is deprived of a university hospital and, by extension, essential medical services”remarked Paul-André Colombani in his introductory statement. He went on to highlight the significant financial burden borne by Corsica’s residents, who are compelled to seek medical treatment on the continent at an estimated annual cost of 30 million euros, covered by Social Security and supplemented by substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Specifically, “Supporting a family member undergoing chemotherapy on the continent incurs exorbitant costs for transportation, accommodations, and treatment-related expenses, placing an additional strain on families”Colombani emphasized.
Corsican officials have expressed their staunch support for the proposal. Laurent Marcangeli noted that, despite its geographic constraints, Corsica merits equal access to fundamental infrastructure. François-Xavier Ceccoli echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Corsica lacks essential medical equipment such as PET-Scans, crucial devices in oncology treatment. Meanwhile, Francois-Xavier Ceccoli expressed the need to prevent unnecessary disruptions in the allocation of doctors and hospital staff, advocating for a balanced distribution to avoid shortages in other mainland hospitals. “Instead of siphoning essential resources away from one area, we must ensure that our efforts to provide necessary resources do not undermine the medical facilities that Corsica already has, or those that exist on the continent”
Wide support
This law, amended and passed by the Social Affairs Committee on June 5, was initially poised for a scheduled vote on June 13. However, the dissolution of the National Assembly by Emmanuel Macron halted the voting process. The bill has garnered widespread support across party lines, including signatures from all four Corsican deputies, namely Michel Castellani, François-Xavier Ceccoli, and Laurent Marcangeli. This support indicates significant backing for Paul-André Colombani’s proposal from various factions within the National Assembly, underscoring its importance.
