French Government Faces Union Opposition Over Planned Restrictions to Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants
Paris – Proposed government decrees to restrict healthcare access for undocumented foreigners through the Aide Médicale de l’État (AME), or State Medical Aid, are facing strong opposition from unions who argue the changes target vulnerable populations. The reforms, which have not been publicly detailed, are expected to be reviewed by the Caisse Nationale de l’Assurance Maladie (CNAM) board next Tuesday, though unions are pushing for a wider discussion at the board of directors two days later.
the AME provides healthcare coverage to individuals who have resided in france for at least three months but lack legal immigration status. The proposed changes signal a broader shift in policy toward immigration and social welfare, following previous government actions impacting the unemployed and patients. According to Dominique Corona, deputy secretary general of the UNSA union and a member of the CNAM board, the move represents a concerning pattern: “After having attacked the unemployed, the patients, we attack immigrants.”
The CNAM’s opinion is crucial,as the organization is tasked with administering the AME program. Unions fear the decrees will create important barriers to healthcare for a notably vulnerable segment of the population, potentially leading to worsened public health outcomes and increased costs in the long run. A recent article published by Le Monde argues that achieving short-term savings by restricting access to care for the most vulnerable will ultimately prove more expensive in the future.
The Ministry of Health has not yet issued a comment on the proposed changes.
Source: Le Monde, January 27, 2025
