Health · Healthcare & Policy · 22 hrs ago
France plans to cut thermal-cure coverage as towns and patients raise concerns
France’s government plan would cut Social Security coverage for thermal cures from 65% to 15%.
The proposal is part of the 2027 Social Security budget plan, which lawmakers began debating on October 20.
Private health insurers would be expected to cover more, but they are not required to pay for these cures.
About 500,000 people receive reimbursed cures each year for conditions including joint, breathing and skin diseases.
In Vallespir, southern France, more than 250 people gathered in Amélie-les-Bains and a petition against the change has collected over 6,000 signatures.
Local officials and businesses say the change could threaten jobs and rural economies, while patients may face higher costs and give up treatment.
Evidence of medical benefits varies: France’s health authority recognises benefits for some conditions, while many others have not yet been assessed.
The authority is due to give its final opinion by the end of 2027, as the budget proposal proceeds through parliament.
The French government proposes reducing Social Security reimbursement for thermal cures from 65% to 15%, leaving the rest to complementary health insurers.
Those insurers are not required to cover the cures, raising concerns that patients could face higher costs or lose access.
The proposal is part of the 2027 Social Security budget plan, which aims to halve the system’s deficit.
More than 250 people protested in Amélie-les-Bains on 19 October, and a local petition had gathered more than 6,000 signatures.
The Haute Autorité de Santé is reviewing the evidence on the cures and is expected to issue its final opinion by the end of 2027.
- Who
- The French government proposes the change; patients, local officials and thermal-care businesses have raised concerns.
- What
- Social Security reimbursement for thermal cures could fall from 65% to 15%, with the remaining cost left to complementary health insurers.
- When
- The government announced its proposal on 8 October 2026. Budget debates began on 20 October.
- Where
- France, including thermal towns such as Amélie-les-Bains in the Vallespir region.
- Why
- The government is seeking to reduce the Social Security deficit and says the change could save €200 million.
The French government
Thermal-care opponents
Purpose
The French government
The proposal aims to reduce the Social Security deficit and could save €200 million.
Thermal-care opponents
The savings are too small to justify higher costs for patients and damage to thermal towns and businesses.
Evidence
The French government
The government is reducing reimbursement for care judged insufficiently effective.
Thermal-care opponents
Thermal-care representatives say cures relieve some conditions and argue that the evidence for several uses is still being assessed.
Impact
The French government
Complementary health insurers would cover the rest of the bill.
Thermal-care opponents
Insurers are not obliged to cover cures, so patients could face higher out-of-pocket costs and some may forgo treatment.
The Haute Autorité de Santé was asked to assess the medical value of thermal cures.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced the government’s proposal to reduce Social Security reimbursement to 15%.
More than 250 people gathered in Amélie-les-Bains to oppose the proposed change.
Deputies began debating the Social Security budget plan in the National Assembly.
The Haute Autorité de Santé is expected to issue its final opinion on the evidence.
- Proposed reimbursement
- 15% by Social Security, down from 65%
- Potential annual saving
- €200 million
- Patients receiving reimbursed cures
- Nearly 500,000 a year
- Amélie-les-Bains protest
- More than 250 people on 19 October 2026
- Local petition
- More than 6,000 signatures as of 19 October 2026
3 sources
Journée villes mortes, pétitions, appel au ministre : "Le Vallespir est en ordre de bataille" contre le déremboursement des cures thermales
Asthme, eczéma, douleurs chroniques… Les cures thermales pourraient ne plus être prises en charge, mais sont-elles réellement efficaces ?
Thermalisme : « Dérembourser les cures revient à accepter le renoncement aux soins des patients modestes », pour Adeline Guérard, présidente de la Chaîne thermale du Soleil
What people are saying
Not stated
We are throwing thousands of jobs in the bin and condemning rural areas.
De-reimbursing cures means accepting that poorer patients will give up care.
The announced €200 million saving amounts to only 0.1% of the health insurance budget.