Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the National Assembly will consider Sebastien Peytavie's bill which aims to ensure full reimbursement for all wheelchairs. What could be the outcome of this study?
Tl;dr
- Proposed law for full reimbursement of wheelchairs.
- The current situation is considered “unworthy” by the author of the proposal.
- The measure could be financed by a tax on tobacco.
Full reimbursement for wheelchairs: a necessity
The question of full reimbursement for wheelchairs is on the table of the National Assembly. This Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the deputies are considering the proposed law Sébastien Peytavie. The latter aims to guarantee full reimbursement for wheelchairs, whatever they may be.
“The dignity of those who use it on a daily basis is priceless,” defended MP Sébastien Peytavie, in the Social Affairs Committee. He points out a situation that he judges “unacceptable and deeply unworthy”.
Insufficient support
If reimbursement already exists for wheelchairs, it is considered “miserable” by the deputy for Dordogne. The most specific chairs are not sufficiently reimbursed, despite partial coverage by mutual insurance companies, the Disability Compensation Benefit (PCH) and departmental disability compensation funds.
Concretely, Health Insurance reimburses up to 960 euros for a traditional wheelchair and up to 5,187 euros for an electric wheelchair. An insufficient amount, knowing that certain armchairs can cost up to 40,000 euros. The consequences are serious for disabled people who are forced to choose a chair that is not adapted to their situation.
“A necessity for those concerned”
“Wheelchairs, whether manual or electric, constitute extensions of the bodies of people with motor disabilities. Having equipment perfectly suited to their needs is not a luxury. This is a necessity for those involved. This is the condition for their successful integration into society, from all points of view,” says Sebastien Peytavie.
A tax on tobacco to finance the measure
As a reminder, more than 500,000 French people regularly use a wheelchair. The measure would cost around 150 million euros more. According to the bill, this amount could be offset by the creation of an additional tax on tobacco products. The APF France handicap association nevertheless fears that the discussions will not go far enough.
