The National Assembly on Sunday approved limiting the duration of the work stoppage, setting a maximum duration of one month for first prescriptions and two months for extensions. However, doctors can deviate from the prescribed upper limit “in light of the patient’s situation” and by justifying it in their prescriptions. This step was taken as part of the examination of the first reading of the 2026 Social Security budget draft.
The government initially wanted to set these limits by decree, namely 15 days for the first work stoppage determined by city doctors and 30 days in hospitals. However the socialist amendment was adopted, so the time period would be one month in both cases, and the time period would be fixed in law and not left to the executive. This was a spare amendment, as the socialists initially wanted, like the communists, the Ecologist and the LFI, to abolish the regulation.
“In regions with a shortage of doctors, sick people will return to work because they have not been able to find a new appointment with a doctor to extend their leave,” PS MP Sandrine Runel warned. “This article raises a logic of suspicion towards caregivers and insured persons,” also criticizing Paul-André Colombani, a representative of the independent group Liot.
To justify this action, executives specifically pointed to the growth in per diem expenditures. “The expenditure of 11 billion (euro) on sick leave is more than 6% per year for 5 years,” argued Health Minister Stéphanie Rist.
Criticized proposal
According to the report attached to the draft Social Security budget, the measure will “have the effect of increasing the number of medical consultations.” But returning to doctors more frequently “will allow better monitoring and care of patients”, defends Stéphanie Rist, who is open to socialist amendments by arguing the benefits of “simplification”.
There is no maximum duration of sick leave planned at present, although there are recommendations for certain pathologies, with indicative durations. The insured person is also subject to a maximum daily allowance of 360 days for three years.
The policy in the text also aims to restore the maximum limit of 360 days for people benefiting from non-exempt long-term illness (ALD), compared with 1,095 days of daily benefits over three years for them currently.
This lowering of the upper limit, which particularly concerns people suffering from musculoskeletal disorders or depressive disorders, has been abolished by the Assembly. As with other actions regarding return to work examination at the end of maternity leave, which is carried out by the occupational doctor. Currently this is mandatory, but the government wants to make it optional. What the Assembly disagreed with.
