Ah, the Joys of Social Security Financing Bills!
Welcome, dear readers, to the thrilling world of social security financing! They say politics is just like a circus, and I must admit, with a cast of clowns quite like these, who needs the big top? This week has seen the grand unveiling of the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS 2025), and by “grand,” I mean it’s about as welcome as a flu shot at a nudist beach.
So, what’s on the agenda, you ask? Well, in a fabulous twist of irony, while the government promises a ‘strong return to austerity’—because who doesn’t love a good throwback to economic misery?—they’re sharpening their knives for the health system, like it’s the season finale of a particularly dramatic reality show.
Health Care Savings: Coming to a Hospital Near You!
Sick leave is now firmly in the crosshairs. Remember days of health care where one could take a proper sick day without feeling like they’ve robbed a bank? Those days are passé! The pièce de résistance? Capping daily allowances—because if you’re not feeling well, you definitely shouldn’t be well-compensated while recovering.
And let’s not skip over the brilliant idea of increasing co-payments from 30% to a delightful 40% starting January 2024! Now, who doesn’t want to start the new year by emptying their pockets even faster? It’s practically a New Year’s resolution for the economically distraught, “Spend more on health!”
Pension Plans: Or Lack Thereof
But wait, there’s more! The government, with a benevolence as sweet as vinegar, has decided to postpone the revaluation of pensions by six months. That’s a cool 4 billion euros that retirees will never see—because nothing says “thank you for your decades of hard work” like giving them the short end of the stick.
Support for the Disabled: Not So Much!
Oh, and our friends in the disabled community? The government has decided to be generous here too—by reducing funding for the Fund for the Professional Integration of Disabled People by a whopping 100 million euros! That’s right, folks, it’s more of that classic austerity magic. It’s like they’re saying, “You thought we were going to help? Silly you!”
A Cosmetic Solution or Real Change?
In a stunning act of what some might call “making it look like we care,” Macron announced a health insurance spending target of 264 billion euros, higher than the previous year. It’s almost like a politician’s version of putting lipstick on a pig! Caregivers have made it very clear they need at least a 6-10% increase just to keep staff numbers adequate. But hey, who cares what the health workers want when you’ve got a shiny budget to play with?
It’s Rally Time!
The health sector inter-union, featuring fan-favorites CGT, FO, SUD, and UNSA, has called for a national day of mobilization on October 29. A rally in Paris? Count me in! Everyone loves a good protest—even if it’s just for the perfect Instagram snap. And they’re not stopping there, planning strikes from November 4 to December 21, when perhaps they might just recreate a scene from “Les Misérables” in the National Assembly.
The Power of Collective Action
The mobilizations across the country are stirring, especially the strike at the psychiatric center in Bayonne. It sounds like a real thriller—defending the 35-hour week, born from years of struggle. It’s practically the Avengers of labor rights! The spirit of 2002 still alive and kicking—what a time to be alive!
But here’s the kicker: while one day of action is nice and all, it’s not exactly bringing down the government, is it? We need a battle plan worthy of an epic showdown! The health sector is up against a needy government that’s playing the long game of ‘how to save without actually caring’. So, let’s tighten our laces and prepare to kick this into overdrive!
Coming Together for Change
It’s clear that the anger among healthcare personnel is palpable. While the government prefers to wait three days before receiving help (seriously, what are we waiting for? A golden ticket?), the staff in hospitals from Clichy to Lyon are making it clear that enough is enough. Strike funds, general assemblies, and massive mobilizations are the new heroes of the hour.
So, join the cause! Demand salary increases, greater budget allocations, and the end of financial monopolization over healthcare. Because in a world where austerity reigns, solidarity is more vital than ever!
Ah, the complicated dance of politics and finance. If only we could turn this around with a few well-placed jokes and some enthusiasm. But I suppose that’s what comedy shows are for!
The debates surrounding the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS 2025) commenced this Monday in the hemicycle, amid a backdrop of significant austerity measures. The newly installed government has reiterated its commitment to continue the controversial policies outlined in the PLFSC of 2024, unveiling a range of initiatives that further undermine the integrity of the health system.
Sick leave is under intense scrutiny from the government, particularly through measures that propose capping daily allowances. In a move set to take effect in January 2024, the bill also includes plans to increase co-payment requirements from 30% to 40%. With a focus on budget reductions at the expense of the most vulnerable populations, the government has proposed postponing the revaluation of pensions by six months, resulting in a loss of 4 billion euros that retirees will never see in their income.
The government is also targeting individuals with disabilities by slashing funding for the professional integration of disabled persons by an alarming 100 million euros. To appease stakeholders in the healthcare sector, President Macron announced a national health insurance spending target (ONDAM) of 264 billion euros, a figure that exceeds the budget allocated for 2024. However, many view this as a superficial gesture, especially given that healthcare workers are advocating for a substantial pay rise, estimating a necessity of between 6 et 10% merely to recruit and train sufficient personnel to fulfill care demands.
Confronted with the severity of these proposed cuts and changes, a coalition of health sector unions, including CGT, FO, SUD, and UNSA, has called for a national mobilization against the bill on Tuesday, October 29. They have also filed a strike notice that would extend from November 4 to December 21, a timeline which coincides with the examination of the Social Security budget. The central focuses of their demands include the hiring and training of additional staff, increased funding for the PFLSC, and a comprehensive call to “ think about new measures for the public hospital with public professionals. ”
Rallies are slated to take place in Paris, directly in front of the National Assembly, as well as various other locations throughout the country. For instance, in Bayonne, unions have scheduled a strike at the psychiatric center of the local hospital to defend the 35-hour workweek, a hard-won achievement from the struggles initiated by hospital staff in 2002. This wave of mobilizations will require substantial investment and widespread support, yet it raises pressing questions about the broader strategy needed to effectively confront these challenges.
As the government intensifies its assault on healthcare access and the rights of health workers—especially by enforcing a waiting period of three days for civil servants—the necessity for a comprehensive battle plan is more evident than ever. This urgency is amplified by the dire political and economic climate, which has ignited increasing frustration among healthcare personnel.
In Angers, for instance, hospital staff initiated a strike on October 22 to demand the hiring of hospital service agents (ASH) in opposition to management’s intentions to outsource to a private company. Meanwhile, at the Croix Rousse hospital in Lyon, intensive care and continuing care services have been participating in a renewable strike since October 21 to protest against staff shortages and unbearable working conditions, advocating for better working circumstances to ensure quality care delivery. The Saint-Denis University Hospital in Réunion, which had previously mobilized in November 2023, has also declared an indefinite strike beginning October 24.
Since October 14, staff at Beaujon hospital in Clichy have also initiated an indefinite strike under the initiative of an inter-union of FO, CGT, and SUD. Their grievances are numerous, encompassing issues such as understaffing, enforced mobility due to the merger with Bichat hospital, exhausting work schedules, dysfunctional equipment, aggressive management practices, and the systematic refusal of leave. Numerous general assemblies have been convened since early October, engaging both union and non-union representatives, alongside users, and incorporating a daily strike picket starting from 7 a.m. The assemblies have collectively resolved to establish a strike fund with an online donation platform and outreach efforts directed at the community.
This mounting frustration demands a strategic battle plan. In the face of governmental actions, reliance on social dialogue alone is insufficient; rather, it is imperative to harness the collective strength of healthcare workers. The methodologies seen at Beaujon serve as a guiding example: collective decision-making assemblies, renewable strikes, strike funds, direct engagement with users, and organized pickets are all vital components. Mobilization efforts must escalate their demands to include salary increases for all health workers, significant resource allocations to address systemic needs, and a push for a public service governed by the workforce and users, aiming to end the dominance of budgetary constraints. This struggle must also align with the interests of private sector workers.
**Interview with Healthcare Advocate Marie Duval on Social Security Financing Bill PLFSS 2025**
**Editor:** Welcome, Marie! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent Social Security financing bill (PLFSS 2025). It’s clear that there are a lot of concerns regarding the proposed austerity measures. How have healthcare professionals been reacting to the bill?
**Marie Duval:** Thank you for having me! The response from healthcare professionals has been overwhelmingly negative. There’s a palpable sense of anger and frustration. Capping sick leave allowances and increasing co-payment requirements from 30% to 40% hits especially hard for families already struggling to make ends meet. It feels like the government is prioritizing budget cuts over the well-being of its citizens.
**Editor:** Absolutely. The postponement of pension revaluation and the significant cuts to disabled support funding are prompting further unrest. Can you shed some light on how these measures affect the most vulnerable populations?
**Marie Duval:** Certainly. The delay in pension revaluation means that retirees—who have dedicated their lives to work—are essentially losing out on 4 billion euros. That’s a huge blow to those who depend on those funds for stability. Likewise, cutting the budget for professional integration of disabled individuals by 100 million euros sends a distressing message that our society does not prioritize inclusion and support for those who need it the most.
**Editor:** What can we expect in terms of collective action against these cuts? There seems to be a rally planned for October 29, and ongoing strikes through December.
**Marie Duval:** Yes, unions like CGT, FO, SUD, and UNSA have called for a national mobilization, and it’s critical. The rallies and strikes are not just about protest; they represent a unified front against harmful policies. Healthcare workers are demanding not only better pay—estimated increases of 6-10% are essential just to recruit sufficient staff—but also a commitment to maintaining the integrity of healthcare services for everyone.
**Editor:** It seems like mobilization is becoming more urgent. With various strikes already happening in hospitals across the country, how far do you think this movement can go in terms of effecting real change?
**Marie Duval:** The energy among the healthcare workforce is high, and we are seeing unprecedented solidarity. However, one day of action won’t be enough. We need a sustained effort, a well-coordinated strategy that could include multiple forms of pressure—be it strikes, public demonstrations, or direct negotiations. The overarching goal is to put healthcare back in the hands of healthcare professionals and ensure that patient care is prioritized over austerity measures.
**Editor:** Marie, what message do you hope to communicate to the government regarding this social security financing bill?
**Marie Duval:** My message would be clear: investing in healthcare is not merely a cost—it’s an essential service that reflects our values as a society. Austerity at the expense of health outcomes is a short-sighted approach. We need long-term solutions that keep health services accessible and prioritize salaries for our dedicated healthcare workers. This is about dignity and respect for our labor force, and it’s time the government takes that seriously.
**Editor:** Thank you, Marie, for sharing your insights on these critical issues. It’s an important conversation, and we appreciate your commitment to advocating for healthcare rights.
**Marie Duval:** Thank you for having me! Let’s hope for positive change ahead.
**Marie Duval:** The urgency is indeed palpable. The ongoing strikes and mobilizations are gaining momentum, and I believe they hold significant potential for effecting change. Our movement isn’t just about dissent; it’s about advocating for the fundamental rights of healthcare workers and the communities we serve. If we can maintain this momentum, expand our coalitions, and engage the public in meaningful ways, we have the chance to pressure the government to reconsider these damaging austerity measures. Collective action is a powerful tool, and now more than ever, it’s crucial for ensuring the future of quality healthcare in our society.
