Health. Regulated installation of doctors: validated by the Assembly, the measure is far from being adopted
On Wednesday evening, the National Assembly adopted, at first reading, a cross-party bill aimed at regulating the establishment of doctors in order to combat "medical deserts." But this vote in no way heralds the definitive adoption of the measure, which has been contested by the profession and the executive.
The French are suffering from a shortage of healthcare professionals. And yet, the executive is struggling to find a miracle cure for the problem of "medical deserts," while MPs and senators are working simultaneously to improve the healthcare system. It is in this context that the principle of regulated practice for doctors was adopted at first reading (by 99 votes to 9) Wednesday evening in the National Assembly.
Launched in 2022, the bill by Socialist Party MP Guillaume Garot is supported by some 250 of his colleagues, from La France Insoumise (LFI) to the Republican Right (LR). The National Rally abstained. "Our health cannot depend on our postal code," argues Guillaume Garot.
Its text provides that before setting up, independent or salaried doctors should seek approval from the Regional Health Agency (ARS). In an area lacking in caregivers, the health authority's access would logically be "by right." In better-provided areas, however, a doctor would only be able to set up after another doctor leaves.
A casus belli for the medical professionOn paper, the idea seems obvious. Especially since the regulation would potentially only affect "13% of the territory," argue its supporters. Yet it's a casus belli for many doctors , particularly medical students and interns who demonstrated at the end of April.
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The cross-party text is also being contested within the political class. This is evidenced by the heated debates in the hemicycle of the Palais Bourbon in early April during the examination of the key article. "If I had thought it was the right treatment, the right remedy for the situation, I would have supported it," quipped Health Minister Yannick Neuder (LR) . Also opposed, Prime Minister François Bayrou proposes imposing up to two days of consultations per month on practitioners in priority areas.
A Senate text as an emergency exit?The government also intends to train more healthcare professionals and believes that the numerus clausus limiting the number of students in medical schools should be removed. Regulation and increasing the number of doctors must go hand in hand, argue the MPs who support the Garot bill.
It is still far from being implemented. Its examination, in its first reading in the Senate, will probably not be scheduled until the fall. By May 15, however, senators will be asked to vote on the Senate's right-wing bill to combat the shortage of caregivers. This text shares the executive's philosophy: in areas with the best practitioners, the establishment of general practitioners would be conditional on their practicing part-time in an area with a shortage of caregivers.
The government could attempt to introduce its plan to combat medical deserts. It has already initiated the "fast-track" review procedure, hoping for rapid adoption of the Senate initiative. This marks the end of life for the regulated facility.
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