Medical biologists end their strike after an agreement with the Secu

The showdown finally paid off. In conflict with the Health Insurance and the government who wanted to impose drastic savings on them, the liberal biologists agreed, on Tuesday, to end their strike started the day before. After two months of tension, an agreement was finally reached during the day between the private medical analysis laboratories and the Health Insurance (Cnam). “We have reached an agreement with the Cnam, confirms Dr. François Blanchecotte, president of the Union of Biologists. Stakeholders have found common ground that is satisfactory to everyone. »

The compromise reached provides for a reduction of 250 million euros spread over all medical biology examinations and a new negotiation for the period 2024-2026, which must be concluded before September 1, indicated the Health Insurance and the Association of Biologists. The latter therefore called for an end to the closure of laboratories and the blocking of Covid test results as of Wednesday. But

“A black January to avoid black years”

The mobilization of biologists began last week with the cessation of Covid test reports. “We had announced a black January, to avoid dark years for our profession, and we were forced to go on a hard strike to make ourselves heard”, explains Dr Lionel Barrand, president of the Syndicate Medical Biologists – The Biomed.

A graduated response linked to a disagreement with the government and Health Insurance. “The profession has always been ready to participate in the effort, we had also proposed a savings plan, he continues. But what was asked of us was not viable: savings greater than our profits. It’s as if a boss asked you to work overtime, did not pay you and lowered your salary! »

The negotiation was blocked over the period 2024-2026, for which the unions had set their red line at 145 million per year. Without it, professionals feared having to make layoffs or having to increase their processing time. “We felt singled out as war profiteers when we did exactly what the government asked of us at short notice, at the cost of heavy investments, massive hiring and hellish work rates at the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic”, recalls the medical biologist.

Strike lifted, but negotiations continue

It was urgent to find a way out of the crisis: this Monday, for the first day of the hard strike movement, “95% of the laboratories have lowered the curtain, it is even 100% in Alsace”, assures Dr. Barrand. Almost all the patients with a prescription for analyzes found the door closed. “We had organized ourselves to remain able to manage urgent situations – preoperative check-ups, chemotherapy or dialysis check-ups, etc. – via home nurses or directly in the laboratory. Any patient requiring care during the day could be received, if he was referred to us by his doctor or his nurse”.

With the lifting of the national strike as of this Wednesday, all laboratories will once again operate normally, and all analyses, including non-urgent ones, can be carried out. “We will be able to return to our patients and we are delighted,” comments Dr. Blanchecotte. But several negotiation points still need to be clarified. “We are now expecting the Minister of Health from the States General of Medical Biology to build a sustainable partnership until 2026, reacted on Tuesday the Alliance of Medical Biology, which brings together the unions in the sector. Vigilance is still required: this agreement is only a first step before the negotiation of the next three-year protocol. »

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