The Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) is threatening to withdraw from its agreement with the National Health Fund (CNS) over reimbursement tariffs and stalled reforms, while the Health Ministry insists patients would not be affected and promises new measures soon.
On 8 October, the AMMD will vote on whether to withdraw from its agreement with the CNS, after months of deadlock over reimbursement tariffs. Mediation has resulted in no breakthrough.
At the heart of the dispute is the perception of unequal treatment. Doctors criticise the recent collective agreement negotiated with hospital staff, who secured higher pay rises while physicians were excluded.
AMMD president Chris Roller said this situation is particularly frustrating because unions sit on the CNS board and negotiate hospital agreements, while doctors are told that budget limits prevent any revaluation of their fees. He described this as a conflict of interest that has angered many practitioners.
The AMMD insists that a withdrawal from the convention would not affect patients, who would continue to receive care under existing provisions, as stated as well by the Ministry of Health and Social Security in a press release on Saturday.
Another point of contention is the ministry's assertion that constructive dialogue has taken place over the past two years. According to the AMMD, no progress has been made on key reforms such as decentralising services or allowing doctors to form group practices.
Roller recalled that under the previous government, a bill had been drafted to enable outpatient procedures outside hospitals and thus reduce waiting times. That proposal was withdrawn by Health and Social Security Minister Deprez in 2024, and since then only a short outline has appeared, which he considers unrealistic to develop into a law this year.
Currently, only hospitals can open external facilities. The AMMD maintains that this neither reduces waiting times nor cuts costs for patients. Roller underlined that if patients are truly to be placed at the centre, then contributions paid by them should be used more effectively. He accused the ministry of failing to prioritise patients in this respect.
Critics argue that allowing private initiatives could lead to the commercialisation of medicine and lure doctors away from hospitals.
The next quadripartite meeting will be held on 13 October to address the deficit in the CNS. For the AMMD, however, the way the system is structured is itself part of the problem.
