France doubles medical franchise ceiling and raises co‑payment in health‑care reform

The French government announced a package of measures aimed at curbing health‑insurance spending and reducing the Social Security deficit. Central to the plan is a regulatory decree that will double the annual ceiling for medical franchises from €50 to €100, affecting consultations, medication fees, paramedical acts and transport. The reform also raises the ticket‑moderator (co‑payment) by shifting a larger share of costs to complementary health insurers and lowers reimbursement rates for drugs with low or moderate medical service value.

Patient‑defence associations, consumer groups and the Force Ouvrière union have criticised the proposals, warning that higher out‑of‑pocket costs could deter care and burden households already facing rising health‑care expenses.