France has been facing a healthcare desertification for several years. In many areas, particularly rural ones, doctors retiring are not being replaced, making it challenging for patients to find a new physician. While a law could regulate the installation of practitioners in areas already supplied with professionals, unions are calling for a strike starting April 28.
Loi Garot: A Regulation of Doctors in Areas Where Practitioners Are Already Numerous!
Medical deserts continue to worry lawmakers. In rural areas, there is a shortage of doctors, leaving patients in distress. Some regions are trying to attract healthcare professionals with medical centers, but this is sometimes inadequate.
For example, in the Yvelines, the local government has established telemedicine booths to address the lack of practitioners, but it is not enough. Furthermore, medical desertification affects the entire country. But how can we encourage doctors to settle in these medical deserts? PS deputy Guillaume Garot is spearheading a bill that has already been approved by the National Assembly.
However, one provision of the law is concerning healthcare professionals. It proposes controlling the installation of doctors “in areas already well provided with practitioners”, as reported by Midi Libre. By regulating where doctors can establish themselves, they would be encouraged to move to medical deserts.
Unions Call for a Strike
To mobilize against this regulation affecting practitioners across the country, representatives of private doctors and medical students are calling for a strike, set to begin on April 28, 2025… with the aim of launching a “national unlimited inter-union strike”.
As France faces an increase in taxes on American medicines, the Garot law is viewed as dangerous by various unions. “If practices close, there will be fatalities,” warns Sophie Bauer, president of the SML. Protests are also planned.
“Six million French people lack a primary care doctor. Eight million French people live in a medical desert”, states deputy PS Guillaume Garot. The government has opposed this bill, which has nonetheless been approved by the National Assembly. “Doctors will have the freedom to set up shop in 87% of the territory”, insists Philippe Vigier (MoDem), a defender of the regulation.
