The abolition of state medical aid (AME) for undocumented immigrants adopted by the Senate
The Senate recently voted to eliminate state medical aid (AME), a measure reserved for undocumented immigrants, during the examination of the immigration bill. This reform, proposed by the senatorial right, was adopted with a large majority of 200 votes for and 136 votes against. The government has refrained from taking a position on this measure and the final decision will come back to the National Assembly.
The AME was established more than twenty years ago and guarantees full coverage of medical and hospital costs for illegal foreigners present in France for at least three months. This measure, described as an “article of shame” by the left, currently benefits around 400,000 people.
The abolition of the AME would result in its transformation into “emergency medical aid”, refocused on care linked to serious illnesses and acute pain. Pregnancy-related care, vaccinations and preventive medicine examinations would no longer be covered by this aid.
This decision by the Senate sparked strong reactions. The right argues that the AME creates a “draft” and represents a significant financial cost (around 1.2 billion euros). However, many defenders of migrant rights and left-wing parties denounce this measure which undermines access to care for an already vulnerable population.
Furthermore, the Senate is also considering eliminating the regularization of immigrants in professions in shortage, another symbolic measure which aims to toughen the immigration bill. Article 3 of the bill, which provides for the granting of a one-year renewable residence permit to undocumented workers in sectors with labor shortages, is also called into question.
Despite tensions within the Senate between the right and the centrists on this issue, a compromise seems to have been found. The regularization of immigrants in professions in shortage could reappear in the text of the bill through new amendments.
This reform of the immigration system is the subject of intense debate and highlights political differences on the question of welcoming migrants in France. The bill will now have to be examined by the National Assembly from December 11. To be continued.