French Doctors Launch Nationwide Strike Over Health Sector Budget Cuts

Doctors across France have initiated a nationwide strike in protest against recent cost-saving measures introduced into the country's healthcare system. This industrial action, the first of its kind on such a scale in France, is supported by the nation's leading medical associations and has led to significant disruptions in both public and private healthcare services.

The primary concern among the striking physicians revolves around modifications to the social security budget, enacted at the end of 2025, which have introduced stricter regulations and reduced funding for medical practices. These changes have resulted in intensified scrutiny of prescription and sick leave practices, as well as unilateral reductions in compensation for various medical services, without the customary negotiations with doctors' associations.

One of the main points of contention is the new policy that limits sick leave to a maximum duration of one month, with any extension subject to review by a supervisory commission. In addition, doctors who are deemed to issue overly generous prescriptions or sick notes may face financial penalties. The recent cuts to reimbursement rates for several medical procedures have been implemented by the state health insurance authority, further impacting practitioners' earnings.

Another measure drawing criticism is the requirement for all physicians to maintain digital health records for their patients. Doctors who fail to comply face monetary fines, and authorities have dismissed technical challenges as a valid excuse for non-compliance.

Proposed strategies to address doctor shortages in rural regions have also triggered opposition. The government is considering ending physicians' right to freely choose their practice location, potentially mandating newly qualified doctors to establish practices in underserved areas. Doctors argue that such forced placements would not address the underlying issues and could deter new entrants to the profession.

The protest has garnered particular support from private practice physicians, many of whom also provide services in private clinics. As a result, approximately 80 percent of operating rooms in private healthcare facilities have been temporarily closed, limiting non-emergency admissions and directing most new patients to public hospitals. This has placed additional strain on emergency departments, many of which were already experiencing staffing shortages and extended wait times prior to the strike.

France's healthcare system is divided into different sectors. While all services provided by doctors in the first sector are fully reimbursed by state and supplementary insurance, the second sector allows practitioners to set higher fees, with only a portion reimbursed to patients. Most disputes and official investigations, including those concerning charges and penalties, tend to arise in this second sector. Authorities maintain that reforms are necessary to prevent disparities in healthcare access and to ensure that treatment is not dependent on a patient's financial means.

Government officials have acknowledged that while the majority of doctors act responsibly, the measures are intended to curb abuses and promote equitable access to care. In cities where the healthcare situation has become especially critical due to the strike, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of temporarily requisitioning physicians to meet urgent needs.

As the industrial action continues, the outcome remains uncertain. Both the government and medical professionals are under increasing pressure to find a resolution that balances fiscal responsibility with the sustainability and quality of healthcare services throughout France.