French Health System

D

Davepick

Well-known member
We went to live in France in 2005. Some time later I was having a problem with my left eye.
I went to the Doctor who sent me to an eye specialist.
After the inspection he said I must have an Operation on the eye. Retina problem.
It was arranged for me to go to Bordeaux, over 2 hours drive.
It was then arranged that I should go into the Hosp in a couple of weeks for the Op.
I drove to Bordeaux and back home
When we eventually got the Op date MrsDP and I went by Taxi.
I was taken to a room. MrsDP said she would go to a hotel.
The Hospital receptionist said that MrsDP could stay in my room which had 2 beds.
Had the op next day, another night in the Hosp.
Taxi came from our village to pick us up.
We didn't pay a Cent.
Can't beat the French system.
 
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French taxes and the social charge system are much higher than in the UK, which they use to fund healthcare.

In France, if you earn 50,000EUR, you'll immediately contribute about 10,000EUR as part of your social charge (healthcare, pensions, unemployment support), and then you're taxed on a 0-45% on a sliding scale system on the remaining 40,000EUR (similar to the UK). The charges also increase up to a much higher income, which means the wealthy in France pay a much higher proportion of their income in tax.

Their system is well designed, and as you say, the healthcare is excellent (broke my leg in France once!)
 
cside said:
French taxes and the social charge system are much higher than in the UK, which they use to fund healthcare.

In France, if you earn 50,000EUR, you'll immediately contribute about 10,000EUR as part of your social charge (healthcare, pensions, unemployment support), and then you're taxed on a 0-45% on a sliding scale system on the remaining 40,000EUR (similar to the UK). The charges also increase up to a much higher income, which means the wealthy in France pay a much higher proportion of their income in tax.

Their system is well designed, and as you say, the healthcare is excellent (broke my leg in France once!)
Click to expand...
Are their overall taxes higher than ours?

This country is cunning as with its stealth and hidden taxes. Everyone points to income tax rates but then you now pay to have your green waste removed. Have to drive yourself to a tip whilst the staff stand around having a fag.
 
Chunkylad said:
Are their overall taxes higher than ours?

This country is cunning as with its stealth and hidden taxes. Everyone points to income tax rates but then you now pay to have your green waste removed. Have to drive yourself to a tip whilst the staff stand around having a fag.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think so. Overall, a lot of Western European countries pay more towards their pensions and their healthcare etc via taxes than we do. The culture in the UK is "we want it now" which is why, for a variety of reasons, our healthcare, education system and pension arrangements are so underfunded and now becoming increasingly poor. Years ago, we should have started "paying more in" as these problems were clearly on the horizon - but no political party would have risked suggesting it. Every country has an ageing population, but I believe we also have both more "spongers" and also more wealthy people (able to find legitimate ways to hide their money from tax), here in the UK, I think ☹️
 
Davepick said:
We went to live in France in 2005. Some time later I was having a problem with my left eye.
I went to the Doctor who sent me to an eye specialist.
After the inspection he said I must have an Operation on the eye. Retina problem.
It was arranged for me to go to Bordeaux, over 2 hours drive.
It was then arranged that I should go into the Hosp in a couple of weeks for the Op.
I drove to Bordeaux and back home
When we eventually got the Op date MrsDP and I went by Taxi.
I was taken to a room. MrsDP said she would go to a hotel.
The Hospital receptionist said that MrsDP could stay in my room which had 2 beds.
Had the op next day, another night in the Hosp.
Taxi came from our village to pick us up.
We didn't pay a Cent.
Can't beat the French system.
Click to expand...
Aren’t they on euros now?
 
Davepick said:
We went to live in France in 2005. Some time later I was having a problem with my left eye.
I went to the Doctor who sent me to an eye specialist.
After the inspection he said I must have an Operation on the eye. Retina problem.
It was arranged for me to go to Bordeaux, over 2 hours drive.
It was then arranged that I should go into the Hosp in a couple of weeks for the Op.
I drove to Bordeaux and back home
When we eventually got the Op date MrsDP and I went by Taxi.
I was taken to a room. MrsDP said she would go to a hotel.
The Hospital receptionist said that MrsDP could stay in my room which had 2 beds.
Had the op next day, another night in the Hosp.
Taxi came from our village to pick us up.
We didn't pay a Cent.
Can't beat the French system.
Click to expand...
My sons have both had to have hospital treatment over the years on various trips to France and have been charged both times, despite having the European blue health card.
 
bfcpete said:
My sons have both had to have hospital treatment over the years on various trips to France and have been charged both times, despite having the European blue health card.
Click to expand...
Hi Pete,
As I said, we were living there. so maybe it's different.
Our best friends have lived there for over 20 years. Their son, in his 50s, has lived there longer.
He is currently very seriously ill, but still at home (with them). he has a very serious condition.
Almost daily he is picked up by taxi and taken for treatment 20+ miles. Free.
 
To add to the previous post, I'm afraid that our friends son has passed away.
Anyone want to buy a lake in France?😟
It has accommodation. self service etc.
 
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