The negotiations for a reimbursement of psychotherapy sessions have once again failed, after the National Health Fund (CNS) and the Federation of Associations representing Psychotherapists in Luxembourg (FAPSYLUX) could not reach an agreement.

The main point of contention is the rates, CNS President Christian Oberlé explained in an interview with our colleagues from RTL.lu on Wednesday morning. The agreement and the services have not yet been clarified in every detail, but Oberlé thinks that there had been an "agreement in principle". The CNS proposed a rate of €120/hour, while FAPSYLUX demanded €185/hour. According to Oberlé, the parties were unable to come to an agreement from there.

The CNS President makes it clear that this disagreement "does not mean that the entire process is now blocked". "We have our arguments, they have theirs, and we noticed that neither side can understand the other's reasoning," Oberlé explained. For this reason, the CNS decided to abandon the negotiations "and hand it over to someone who can evaluate the situation from the outside and make a proposal".

Oberlé acknowledges that it is an unusual situation for the CNS. While the National Health Fund has "many times in the past" participated in mediation, this step has never been required during discussions with a new occupational group.

In any event, Oberlé recognises that the CNS still has some leeway for slightly higher rates.

The CNS President also thinks that Minister of Social Security Claude Haagen "could at least also give his opinion at this stage".

Political reactions

Both the Democratic Party (DP) and the Green Party (Déi Gréng) have stated that they think it is now up to Minister of Social Security Claude Haagen to take action.

The Minister should review "all legal options" that would allow him to intervene, demands MP Josée Lorsché, the head of the Green Party's parliamentary group. DP MP Carole Hartmann thinks that the procedure itself should also be questioned, stating that it is "unacceptable" that patients are still not being reimbursed after negotiations have been going on for four years.

Alex Donnersbach, the President of the Christian Social Youth (CSJ), shares the same view. The youth section of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) also calls on the government to intervene in order to find a quick solution.

Meanwhile, the Pirate Party has already submitted an urgent request for a meeting with the Minister in the responsible parliamentary committee. However, this meeting has yet to be scheduled, the Pirate Party confirmed upon enquiry.