Letters: France's wasteful healthcare system needs a rethink
Reader says it would not be fair to ask people to pay more based on their age
Pensioners are among the hardest hit by the rising cost of mutuelles
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To the Editor,
Mr. Chenut is not unjustified in his complaints about the extravagance of the health system in France.
I, for one, have been over-prescribed medications on many occasions, which appeared to me to represent a waste of valuable resources that could be used where they are more needed.
On one occasion, I was prescribed what seemed like a year’s supply of paracetamol, not to mention an excessive over-supply of bandages and other drugs which I never used at all during the treatment.
I had to return some of them to the pharmacy, with no reimbursement for the excess charges I had paid, others I had donated to the front line in Ukraine.
I also note the steep rises in the costs of mutuelles, which is not met by anything near the rises in pensions in this country for those of retirement age.
Older people are just older, they are not necessarily sick. But they are only statistics on a chart, after all. So why taken the individual into consideration?
Although large numbers of the population in this country smoke, and many of them are aged between 16 and 25, they are not penalised in their health insurance premiums, and the rest of the members of the mutuelle who do not smoke end up having to pay for the consequences of their indulgences.
Moreover, those who take regular exercise, belonging to fitness clubs etc., do not get a bonus on their premiums either.
There is absolutely no incentive in this country to stay healthy and lower the costs for everyone.
And finally, many opticians are running a good business by charging the government over 100 euros for a pair of glasses worth only 30 euros; they artificially raise their prices in full guarantee that they’ll get them from the 100% santé system!
But fortunately that doesn’t affect the customer.
Time to reconsider the waste.
Pat Cross, by email
Have you noticed that the cost of mutuelles is increasing? Do you think France's system is wasteful? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com
