© Arnaud Serexhe
At Monday's quadripartite meeting, initial measures to stabilise the National Health Fund were agreed on, including a state contribution increase and cost-saving reforms.
Higher expenditure than revenue: Luxembourg's National Health Fund (CNS) continues to face a structural problem. Projections show a deficit of around €119 million this year, with reserves expected to fall to about 17% of total spending. By next year, the shortfall could reach €209 million, and by 2027, reserves are forecast to drop below the legal minimum threshold of 10%.
Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez stressed that any reforms will prioritise patients, saying that the goal is not to restrict access to care but to ensure that services are better coordinated and truly necessary.
'Only a beginning'
The plan includes targeted measures expected to save €60 million next year and around €140 million in the following years. The government will also increase its annual contribution from €20 to €59 million, covering more of the costs related to maternity care and hospital construction.
Christophe Knebeler of the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) welcomed this commitment, noting that it aligns with the union's call to reclassify certain expenses that should not fall under the CNS. However, he cautioned that this is "only a start", as more issues still need to be addressed.
Avoiding contribution increases
Employers also expressed satisfaction. According to Marc Wagener, director of the Union of Luxembourg Enterprises (UEL), the government, unions, and employers have "shown responsibility and achieved a collective effort", proving that social dialogue can work. He acknowledged, however, that much remains to be done to resolve the structural imbalance of the CNS, with about 30 measures still to be implemented.
A rise in contribution rates may be unavoidable in the longer term: the rate currently stands at 5.6%, but could increase to 5.85% by 2027, Deprez indicated. Wagener emphasised that every effort should be made to avoid or minimise such increases this year and next.
AMMD confirms its intention to end convention with CNS
The Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) confirmed during the quadripartite meeting that they plan to terminate their convention with the CNS in the coming days or weeks, hoping this move will lead to progress on fee negotiations and reforms. The AMMD is also calling for the development of more outpatient medical services, which, according to AMMD president Dr Chris Roller, could help improve the financial health of the CNS.
He argued that outpatient care costs roughly a third of hospital-based services, making it a clear long-term solution for saving money. The AMMD intends to present concrete reform proposals to policymakers, while Deprez has offered to hold a formal meeting with them to discuss their demands.
