After two strikes in less than a month, liberal biologists resumed negotiations with Health Insurance, but “did not reach an agreement” and said Thursday they were preparing a new “widespread national mobilization” in January. The labs will remain open during the holidays. “So as not to penalize the French,” said the spokesperson for the Alliance of Medical Biology, Alain Le Meur, in a press release. But this organization, which brings together the four unions and the major private groups in the sector, warns that we must “already prepare for a black month of January”.
A first draft health insurance agreement
Because the discussions are not moving forward. Since the last strike in early December, the unions have resumed contact with Health Insurance, which put on the table this week a first draft agreement, consulted by AFP. If a compromise seems in sight on the budgetary puncture for the year 2023, up to 250 million euros (divided between Covid tests and other examinations) as wanted by the government, the negotiation is blocked over the period 2024-2026.
However, Social Security puts on the table an envelope of 150 million over three years, to reimburse “innovative acts” currently reserved for hospitals. But without specifying the amount of savings expected on other acts, referred to “the signing of a multi-year protocol before the end of the first half”.
No more than 145 million euros drop, demand biologists
However, biologists have already set their red line in terms of price reductions: no more than 145 million per year. Going beyond “would lead to the closure of at least 400 local laboratories (and) the elimination of at least 10,000 skilled jobs”, they say.
The government has however repeatedly stressed that the comfortable margins of the sector, still boosted by the Covid, justified an “effort” by biologists. Mr. Le Meur, however, returns the ball to the authorities, whose “inflexible position forces us to harden the movement”.