France healthcare reform: Report proposes €6.7 billion transfer

A government report submitted on September 23, 2026, proposes a significant shift in the financing of French social protection. Four experts—Elisabeth Hubert, Franck von Lennep, Stéphane Junique, and Nicolas Bouzou—suggest transferring €6.7 billion in annual sanitary transport costs, along with portions of daily allowances, from the national health insurance (Assurance-maladie) to private mutual insurers and employers.

This proposal comes amid rising costs and challenges within the system, including a 57% increase in sick leave over nine years and €62 million in detected fraud in 2025. The report aims to redefine the responsibilities between mandatory state insurance and complementary private coverage.

Separately, discussions regarding health insurance accessibility continue as premiums have risen nearly 45% between 2021 and 2025. In the mutual insurance sector, legal regulations already prohibit medical questionnaires for certain organizations under the Code de la mutualité, ensuring that premiums for these solidarity-based contracts do not depend on a member's medical profile or age.