"Uncalled-for work interruptions: organized misinformation campaign"
In a bid to address the rising costs of Social Security, particularly those linked to sick leaves and healthcare expenditures, French leaders, under Prime Minister François Bayrou, have announced a series of austere measures. These measures, referred to as Bayrou's "moment of truth," aim to curb overall social security spending growth, restructure healthcare costs, and reduce public sector administrative costs.
One of the key measures includes freezing government spending at the 2025 level, including welfare benefits and pensions, effectively maintaining social security expenditures without increases. The government also plans to reduce social security outlays by cutting prescription drug subsidies and restructuring healthcare expenditures, which implicitly targets the management of sick leave costs and general health insurance expenditure.
Another significant measure is the government's aim to reduce labor costs in the public sector by replacing only one-third of retiring civil servants. This move can impact administrative handling and controls related to social security claims like sick leaves.
The government has also highlighted the need for health insurance reform, pointing out excessive antibiotic consumption in France compared to Germany. This suggests efforts to control healthcare overuse that drives Social Security costs.
The proposed measures are part of a broader austerity budget intended to cut €43.8 billion in non-defense expenditures and avoid raising taxes, instead focusing on spending freezes and efficiency improvements. However, there is no explicit mention of specific new rules targeting sick leave durations or eligibility.
A report titled "Charges and Products of the Cnam for 2026" proposes strengthening controls and placing doctors who prescribe too many sick leaves under tutelage. Yet, the report does not provide specific details on how these controls will be carried out. The reforms announced by Bayrou also include a focus on long-term illnesses and reductions in daily allowance coverage, as well as increases in medication co-payments.
Catherine Vautrin, in an opinion piece in Le Monde on July 26, suggested a critical view of the government's approach towards employees and doctors regarding sick leaves. However, her piece did not provide any evidence to support her claims. It also did not offer any solutions or alternatives to the government's approach, nor did it discuss any potential consequences or implications of the government's approach towards sick leaves.
The proposed reforms aim to save billions for the Social Security system, according to the report. However, if no action is taken, the system is at risk of asphyxiation in the coming years, the report warns. The opinion piece by Vautrin did not mention any specific measures or reforms related to sick leaves.
In conclusion, the French government's approach to addressing the rising costs of Social Security is to curb overall spending, restructure healthcare costs, and reduce public sector administrative costs, rather than introducing explicit new sick leave regulations. The full impact and effectiveness of these measures remain to be seen.
- The government's restructuring of healthcare expenditures includes targeting the management of sick leave costs and general health insurance expenditure.
- The proposed report suggests strengthening controls and placing doctors who prescribe too many sick leaves under tutelage.
- The proposed reforms, despite not mentioning specific measures or reforms related to sick leaves, aim to save billions for the Social Security system.
- The French leaders' approach towards sick leaves is critical, as highlighted by Catherine Vautrin in Le Monde, yet her piece offered no evidence, solutions, alternatives, or discussion of potential consequences or implications.
