Health costs are set to rise. The Social Security deficit will be greater than initial projections in 2023 and 2024, according to the draft Social Security financing law, consulted Tuesday September 26 by AFP. Increases which can be explained by the increase in agent salaries and by the financial boost for caregivers working nights and weekends at the hospital which were announced during the summer.
The deficit estimated at 8.8 billion euros
After an abysmal deficit of almost 40 billion euros in 2020 due to Covid-19, Social Security had gradually reduced its losses. This year, the Social Security deficit should be 8.8 billion euros before widening further in 2024, with 11.2 billion, and in 2025, with 15.8 billion. The national health insurance spending objective (Ondam) is projected at 247.6 billion euros, compared to 244.8 initially forecast in April.
In 2027, the deficit will more than double
The greater than expected increase in city care, “in a context of high inflation pushing up certain expenses”, also explains this trend which is not about to slow down, specifies the text. The cost of sick leave jumped by 8.2% excluding Covid in 2022.
The government intends to put the brakes on, in particular by strengthening controls. But the “hole” in Social Security continues to widen and should be 17.9 billion in 2027, more than double than this year.
The deficit in the old-age sector continues to widen
The government also expects the deficit in the old-age sector to continue to slide, but less quickly than expected immediately after the pension reform, with no explanation at this stage. It should go from -1.9 billion in 2023 to -13.6 billion in 2027. The Court of Auditors called last May for “rigorous reforms” to try to reduce the deficit.