After their stark criticism towards Labour Minister Georges Mischo, unions are now turning their attention to Health and Social Security Minister Martine Deprez as the next target of scrutiny.
The Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) and Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) have sent another protest letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden on Sunday. While personal attacks are absent from the new document seen by RTL, the government is accused of undermining the country’s health care system, pushing it toward commercialisation and privatisation.
Outpatient care "should not be privatised"
The foundations of the health care system are solidarity, universal access to medical care, patients’ free choice, and mandatory agreements with doctors form the foundation of the system, according to the OGBL and LCGB. The letter continued that outpatient care must continue to be managed by hospitals and that private investors should not be allowed to commercialise these services.
According to OGBL and LCGB, the Democratic Party (DP) and Christian Social People's Party (CSV) coalition government has so far provided no evidence that it intends to respect these principles, calling this a frontal attack on the system’s foundations. The unions claim the government aims to dismantle the system by fully liberalising outpatient services as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, with the historic end of their agreement with the CNS, they say doctors’ association AMMD is reportedly seeking to abolish the automatic and mandatory CNS agreements.
Under the proposed changes, OGBL and LCGB warn, a selective system would emerge in which wealthy patients receive high-quality care while the majority face average services and long waiting times.
The unions' front did not shy away from directing criticism towards the AMMD, accusing them of jointly attacking Luxembourg's social model along with the government, leaders Nora Back and Patrick Dury wrote.
Health Minister Martine Deprez has "her eyes shut"
The letter accuses the Health Minister of not answering important questions. Among other things, the unions want to know whether the government intends to maintain the principle of automatic agreements, what the tariffs and reimbursements will look like in the "extra-hospital environment", and the status of the doctors who will practice in those structures.
Should no answer come, then it would be clear where the government stands, according to the unions, who intend to defend themselves with all means at their disposal.
Another topic addressed in the letter is the financing of health insurance. Here, the unions complain about a "cavalier approach" by the management of the National Health Fund (CNS) regarding the proposed list of measures.
They accuse the CNS of having overstepped its competencies because it acts as if it alone manages the health-maternity insurance, whereas the board of directors is set up as a tripartite body, with representatives of employees, employers, and the state. In addition, the unions criticised that a member of the CNS management recently demanded that all parties decide on a savings plan of over 100 million euros by 2026 in a coordination committee.
The unions are calling on Minister Deprez to step in and hold those responsible at the CNS accountable.
The letter dated November 10 is signed by union presidents Nora Back and Patrick Dury. In addition to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, the DP Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Minister Martine Deprez both received copies of the letter.
