Health policy focus on medical deserts

Bruno Retailleau, a Republican candidate, has made addressing medical deserts a central issue in his For France program. These are areas where access to healthcare is limited due to a lack of medical professionals and facilities.

Restoring Social Security accounts

Retailleau aims to restore the accounts of the Social Security system by implementing strict expense control. He also proposes a healthcare system that empowers healthcare workers rather than relying on technocrats.

Encouraging doctors in underserved areas

Retailleau argues that the issue of medical deserts is not due to doctors’ reluctance but rather a lack of incentives. He supports offering attractive remuneration and facilitating the establishment of doctors in under-equipped areas.

New internship program for doctors

A key part of Retailleau’s plan is the creation of a fourth year of internship in general medicine. Starting in November 2026, this program will require junior doctors to complete training in private practice, multidisciplinary health houses, or health centers.

Reducing disparities in access to care

Retailleau believes that 3,500 to 4,000 young doctors could temporarily establish themselves across the country, helping to reduce disparities in access to care. This would be a step toward more balanced healthcare coverage.

Rationalizing public hospital expenses

To control costs, Retailleau proposes reducing administrative staff in public hospitals to better remunerate healthcare workers. This is part of a broader effort to rationalize expenses in the healthcare sector.

Abolishing Regional Health Agencies

Retailleau’s political group proposed abolishing the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) in April, citing their inefficiency. Their responsibilities would be transferred to prefects, a move aimed at streamlining the system.

Decentralizing healthcare management

Retailleau supports decentralizing the healthcare system to allow each region to adapt its healthcare expenses to local needs, such as aging populations or the presence of medical deserts.

Reducing State Medical Assistance

Retailleau has proposed reducing the State Medical Assistance (AME) to an emergency aid, a measure criticized by healthcare workers and patient associations. They argue that the AME is crucial for disease prevention and cost control.

Preserving the pharmacy network

Retailleau emphasizes the importance of maintaining the pharmacy network, especially in medically underserved areas. He supported pharmacists during their 2025 confrontation with the government over concerns about their economic stability and the risk of closures.