Health sector emergencies after the fall of the Bayrou government: hospital crisis, mental health, social security budget

From medical deserts to the hospital crisis, from mental health to the promise of legislation on "assisted dying," the files piling up on the desk of the future health minister— there have been seven since 2022 —vary barely, as governments change. The urgency to tackle them, however, is growing, according to those involved in the sector. One issue, however, takes precedence over all others, they also say, particularly given the parliamentary calendar: the Social Security budget, debated every fall by MPs and senators.

Time to choose: between a growing health insurance deficit (16 billion euros expected in 2025, almost 20 billion euros in sight for 2029), the aging of the population, the increase in the number of chronically ill people, medical progress and its costs... it is indeed the Social Security financing model – 80 years old in 2025 – that is at stake. In the period of uncertainty that is beginning, the debate risks being sidestepped once again. Do we want to increase resources, as the left advocates? Reduce patient reimbursements? Review the provision of care to the extent of available means?

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