Snelle cash of een duurzaam gezondheidsbeleid?

Brussels, 10 January 2017
Press release

Quick cash or a sustainable health policy?

Yes, there is a lot of money into our social security. Therefore, some policymakers believe that it is always possible to introduce budget cuts. Nothing is less true.

No one will argue the fact that we are going through a difficult period in budgetary terms and that all sectors must use the public resources with the greatest foresight. But the prevailing climate of blind savings risks undermining the foundations of our healthcare system. The Liberal Mutual Societies then question the ideas launched in recent days to embellish the budget to the detriment of people's health. Our healthcare system and its funding must be supported by a well-considered vision and must not be the rich aunt who always can help out when times are tough.

Similarly, the proposal to reduce excise duties on tobacco in order to boost sales and to increase revenue for the state treasury is short-sighted and dangerous. Quick cash is preferred to a responsible and sustainable prevention policy. That every euro spent on prevention itself indirectly and eventually pays back in multiples, is deliberately ignored.

Finally, let us recall the Pact for the future signed between the mutual societies and the health minister, Maggie De Block, at the end of last year. It is the result of years of intermutualist cooperation. Mutual societies undertake in particular to make prevention an absolute priority in their services. If we do not want this pact to be swept aside, we must protect our social policy from a blind accounting logic.

Geert Messiaen

General secretary

Geert Messiaen