Topic for Apr 22 (Mon)

[Kristin55]

France Plans $5 Fine for Missed Doctor Appointments

The French government wants to fine anyone who misses a doctor's appointment.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal plans to introduce a fine of about $5.40 for people who don't turn up to an appointment.

The idea is to help the country's health service as it struggles with a growing and aging population.

Attal said as many as 27 million appointments are missed every year.

Anyone who doesn't turn up for an appointment or who cancels one less than 24 hours before would have to pay the fine.

However, if the doctor decides that the person's reason for not turning up is good enough, they can avoid paying.

Patients may have to give their credit card information when making an appointment, or pay the money first but get it back when they arrive at the appointment.

Attal hopes this measure will help make at least 15 million more appointments available each year, because it should encourage people to cancel appointments if they don't need them. These appointments could then be used by other patients.

However, the fine, which Attal wants to introduce at the start of 2025, has been criticized by doctors.

One said: "It won't work. It's just a tax." Another told French radio that the fine will affect the relationship between doctors and patients.

Some have said the problem is that the country doesn't have enough family doctors, so people often meet with a different doctor every time they're sick. But if people knew their doctor and had a relationship with them, they would be less likely to miss an appointment.

Attal said he plans to make more places available in medical schools so everyone has a doctor no further than 30 minutes from their home.

1. What are your thoughts on France's idea to introduce a fine for missing a doctor's appointment?

2. Have you ever missed a doctor's appointment? What was the reason?

3. What would you say is a "good enough" reason for missing an appointment?

4. Is there a shortage of family doctors in your country? Why do you think this is?

5. How far is your doctor's office from where you live?

6. Have you had the same doctor for a long time?

7. Do you visit your doctor every time you feel unwell?

8. How long do you usually have to wait to see your doctor?

9. When was the last time you were sick? How long did it take you to recover?

10. What are your biggest complaints about healthcare in your country?

https://engoo.com/app/daily-news/article/france-plans-5-fine-for-missed-doctor-appointments/R-OPmvbDEe6caKsf5_jt0A