French senators oppose thermal spa reimbursement reform

Nearly 60 senators from 42 departments representing thermal regions have called on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to abandon a proposal to transfer the reimbursement of thermal spa treatments from national health insurance to private complementary health insurance.

The government aims to save the national health insurance system approximately 200 million euros through this measure, which is included in the Social Security budget project. The senators, representing a cross-party coalition of right, left, and center, argue that the reform could destabilize the thermal sector and impact patient access to care.

Led by Senator Jean-Marc Boyer, the lawmakers are requesting a meeting with the Prime Minister and insist that no changes be made until the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) completes its scientific evaluation of the therapeutic benefits of thermal cures. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist noted that the HAS expertise is not expected to be finalized until the end of 2027. While the government maintains the move is a redistribution of costs rather than a total removal of coverage, senators warn that the reform could “break the French thermal industry.”