Yasmina Kattou / Photo credits: Nicolas TUCAT / AFP 08:17, 06 November 2023
The State Medical Aid (AME) arrives at the Senate this Monday as part of the examination of the immigration bill. With this bill, the government wants to make it less accessible by transforming it into emergency medical aid (AMU).State medical aid (AME) is in the crosshairs of the immigration bill. According to the latest figures for 2022, more than 400,000 people benefited from it at a total cost of €1.2 billion, or 0.47% of Social Security expenditure. This aid is not accessible to everyone since it is reserved for undocumented people, subject to means-testing. What kind of care do foreigners use the most?
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Obstetrics and surgery, the most sought-after services
According to a report by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs, two-thirds of the costs cover hospital care. The most sought-after services are obstetrics and surgery. Regarding the medicines consumed by beneficiaries of state medical aid, they are mainly antivirals such as treatments for infectious diseases. For example, tuberculosis, hepatitis C or HIV. Among the prescriptions, there are also drugs to fight addictions and addiction.
This care is 100% covered. On the other hand, for beneficiaries of the AME, there are restrictions. For example, for less urgent requests such as cataract surgery, a waiting period of nine months is imposed on patients. The aid is valid for one year and is reserved for those who do not have a residence permit, who have resided in France for more than three months and who do not receive more than 810 euros per month.