The French government has proposed shifting the funding of **thermal cures**—a type of treatment involving mineral-rich water and mud from natural springs—away from the main Health Insurance system to private health insurance supplements. This change is intended to save the Health Insurance system 200 million euros each year by reducing the amount it must reimburse for these treatments. The proposal is part of a larger plan to redirect 700 million euros to private health insurance supplements by 2027, with the remaining 500 million euros related to hospital costs. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist introduced the plan during the presentation of the Social Security budget to the National Health Insurance Fund's council. Currently, the Health Insurance system covers 65% of the cost of thermal cures. The government had previously tried, but failed, to stop the Health Insurance from covering these treatments in the 2026 budget. According to Rist, the proposed changes aim to cut the Health Insurance's deficit from an estimated 14 billion euros to less than 8 billion euros by 2027. However, the proposal faced strong opposition from the council, which rejected it almost unanimously with 31 votes against, two abstentions, and two votes of record. The council’s decision, while not binding, signals significant resistance to the government's plan. The National Assembly's Social Affairs committee will begin reviewing the 2027 Social Security Financing Bill on Monday. This review will likely include further debate on the proposed funding shifts and their potential impact on both public and private healthcare systems. The outcome of this process will be crucial in determining whether the government's financial goals for the Health Insurance system can be achieved. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between public and private healthcare funding in France. While the government seeks to reduce the Health Insurance system’s financial burden, critics argue that shifting costs to private supplements could limit access to essential treatments for those who cannot afford additional insurance. The debate is expected to continue as the Social Affairs committee moves forward with its examination of the bill.