Arizona coalition tensions rise over proposed healthcare savings

Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has outlined a plan to achieve significant savings in the healthcare sector, proposing a reduction of 171.5 million euros by 2027 and a total of 638 million euros by 2029. This initiative is seen as a precursor to broader budget negotiations expected in October.

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realize an effort of 171.5 million euros in 2027, to reach 638 million by 2029.

The core of Vandenbroucke's proposal involves partially capping the indexation of fees for doctors and other healthcare providers. This measure is estimated to generate approximately 280 million euros, which the minister intends to reinvest in new health policies. However, this approach has sparked disagreement among political partners within the Arizona coalition.

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Such a measure would yield about 280 million euros, according to the figure cited in the mission letter. Minister Vandenbroucke proposes to reinvest this amount in new health policies.

Parties like the MR and N-VA are pushing for "pure and simple" cost-cutting, rather than reinvestment. The content of the mission letter, which is due to be sent to healthcare stakeholders by July 20, is not yet politically agreed upon. Discussions are scheduled for Friday's restricted ministerial committee meeting, and an agreement is uncertain, potentially jeopardizing the July 20 deadline.

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It is not at all certain that the partners of Arizona will reach an agreement, so that the mission letter may not be sent by July 20, as planned.

This push for savings occurs within the broader context of the De Wever government's plan to save 10 billion euros by 2029 to improve public finances. The MR and N-VA believe substantial healthcare savings are crucial to achieving this goal, especially as the healthcare budget is projected to exceed 46 billion euros in 2027. A leaked note from the National Sickness and Disability Insurance Institute (Inami) detailed potential savings of 6 billion euros across various measures, including doubling patient co-payments and reducing the number of beneficiaries eligible for increased reimbursements.

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MR and N-VA believe that substantial savings are necessary in healthcare, whose budget will exceed 46 billion euros in 2027.