Old age: the examination of a bill suspended in the Assembly

The deputies did not manage to complete Thursday the examination at first reading of a bill on old age decried for its lack of ambition, which will have to continue in the coming weeks on a date still uncertain

Old age: the examination of a bill suspended in the Assembly

The deputies did not manage to complete Thursday the examination at first reading of a bill on old age decried for its lack of ambition, which will have to continue in the coming weeks on a date still uncertain.

"I undertake on behalf of the government that we can re-enter the agenda of the Assembly quickly following" the text, assured the Minister of Solidarity Jean-Christophe Combe at the close of the session at midnight. , marking the start of a two-week parliamentary recess.

Even if its measures "do not necessarily have extremely high costs", the bill "removes obstacles which will make it possible to develop important actions", pleaded the minister.

The National Assembly on Thursday adopted several provisions of the text carried by the presidential majority, such as the creation of a territorial body "for collecting and processing alerts of mistreatment".

Adopted by a large majority, this measure echoes the Orpea scandal, following the publication in 2022 of the investigative book "Les Fossoyeurs" by journalist Victor Castanet on the abuse of residents of the private group of retirement homes.

This new body aims to facilitate cooperation between all the actors involved, in particular the judicial authority in the event of criminal processing of a report. It also involves collecting alerts and monitoring their processing.

The deputies also unanimously adopted the creation by 2025 of a professional card to facilitate the daily life of home workers.

"Will it open parking rights?" Asked the Insoumis François Ruffin. The Minister replied that this was one of the objectives, but that the question was up to the communities, which will be “strongly” encouraged to allow this free service.

The Assembly, unanimously, also voted for the obligation of a multi-annual budget planning law for old age, a sector facing glaring funding needs.

The deputies voted in this sense identical amendments coming from the left, the right and even 20 elected Macronists of the Renaissance group.

It is thus planned "before September 1, 2023, then every five years", a multi-annual programming law.

MEPs also adopted an article reaffirming the right for a person accommodated in a medical or medico-social establishment to receive visits.

A socialist amendment asking "to recognize the right of the elderly to an emotional and sexual life" was also voted.

A measure creating a status of "replacement" curator or guardian has been adopted, to prevent a vulnerable person from finding themselves isolated in the event of the death of their guardian.

On Wednesday, the Assembly voted in favor of the creation of a one-stop shop for autonomy at department level, with the stated objective of simplifying the journey of people with loss of autonomy.

Although in favor of certain measures, the opposition criticized a lack of ambition in the text, calling for a vast law on old age, as promised in 2018 by Emmanuel Macron.

“This bill is an empty shell which is not at all up to the stakes,” lamented the leader of the LFI deputies Mathilde Panot.

Some majority MPs also expressed reservations. Renaissance MP Monique Iborra has given up being rapporteur, denouncing a "big mess" in the absence of a broader law.

04/14/2023 04:20:07 -         Paris (AFP) -         © 2023 AFP