The World Health Organization recently proclaimed the French health care system the best in the world. That brought increased interest in a system that is rather unique. Its national health insurance component, called social security, pays 75 percent of all hospital and medical bills. This is publicly financed. Prescription drug prices are established by the national government’s negotiations with drug manufacturers. The other 20-25 percent of the bill is paid through Mutuelle Societies. These “Mutuelles” are financed by labor and management contributions but are led largely by labor union initiative. They appear remarkably similar to ERISA-based labor-management benefit Funds in the U.S.
The deep support that French labor has for the “Mutuelles” and also for its national health system could serve as an example to U.S. trade unionists who worry that a national health program would eliminate their hard-won labor-negotiated health benefits and related funds.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to describe the role of the labor movement in France's national health system and discuss its possible pertinence for the U.S.
Keywords: Universal Health Care, Health Care Politics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.