The Minister of Health, Geneviève Darrieussecq, spoke on Saturday in favor of a tax on processed sugars, while the social security budget will be debated on Monday in the Assembly, with the executive hoping to save nearly 5 billion euros in health. In an interview with Sunday’s TribuneThe minister assures that “it is not about penalizing artisans, pastry chefs, etc.” “But yes, I am in favor of taxes on processed sugars,” he says.
This week, in the Social Affairs Committee, deputies continued to largely rewrite the draft Social Security budget for 2025. To better “prevent” chronic diseases and addictions, the committee validated several new taxes, in particular on flavored and sweetened beers, with a “high alcohol content”, an extension to all alcohols of the “social security contribution” or even a tax linked to the sugar content of processed food products.
The changes at this stage are very uncertain, since the bill in its entirety was later rejected by the commission and the deputies will return to depart next week, in the chamber, from the government’s initial text. On Friday, deputies presented more than 2,200 amendments to the Social Security budget, with a view to its debate in a public session.
Reduction of the reimbursement rate for medical consultations from 70% to 60%
Another option presented by the government to save money: lower the reimbursement rate for medical consultations by Social Security from 70% to 60%. The difference could automatically increase the cost of mutual insurance companies and, therefore, the price that the French must pay for their health expenses. “Personally, I think a 10% drop is significant. I have been working since my appointment to reduce this impact,” says the minister. The tribune.
“It is certain that conversations with supplementary insurers will continue to moderate the increase in contributions,” says Geneviève Darrieussecq, asking “supplementary insurers to be responsible.”
Source: BFM TV
