French authorities to save 10 billion euros on health care costs

The French government is set to save at least 10 billion euros in part by cutting healthcare spending amid the energy crisis, Report informs with reference to the Figaro newspaper.

“After the first assessment of public spending, we have identified at least 10 billion euros for savings,” French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said, adding that some of these funds need to be saved by combating the growth of sick leaves and excessive spending on medicines.

There are also plans to phase out fuel tax breaks for certain professions in transportation and agriculture, as well as get rid of tax breaks for property investors for renting out, the article says.

Earlier, the French Ministry of Economy presented some provisions of the "stability program", which implies a more accelerated reduction in the country's public debt, according to which it is planned to reduce the budget deficit to 2.7% by 2027 and the public debt to 108.3% by 2027. In March, France's National Statistical Institute, Insee, published a report showing that France's public debt increased to 2.95 trillion euros in 2022.