Protest against spa treatment reimbursement removal

More than 250 people gathered in Amélie-les-Bains, Pyrénées-Orientales, to protest against the potential removal of reimbursement for spa treatments. The event brought together elected officials, spa industry professionals, merchants, residents, and visitors, all expressing concern over the possible impact of the decision on the region.

Local leaders speak out

Mayor of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, Marie Costa, and Member of Parliament for the constituency, Michèle Martinez (RN), addressed the crowd. Martinez emphasized that spa treatments are not only an economic activity but also a means of healing and improving the quality of life for many patients. She warned that weakening their coverage could make access to care more difficult, especially for the most modest individuals.

Economic and social impact

In the Pyrénées-Orientales, spa treatments represent thousands of visitors and hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, supporting businesses, hotels, restaurants, and other services. In Amélie-les-Bains, Boulou, Prats-de-Mollo, La Preste, and Molitg-les-Bains, an entire economic and social balance is at stake.

Concerns over cost transfer

Martinez noted that transferring the cost of reimbursement from the Social Security to insurance companies, without any guarantee of coverage, creates uncertainty for spa visitors, thermal establishments, and the entire economic actors in the region. She stated that while a moratorium on this issue had been previously mentioned, the new threat is unacceptable.

Commitment to the cause

Martinez expressed her commitment to defending the spas, jobs, access to care, and the future of the territories at the National Assembly. She thanked Marie Costa, mayors, elected officials, professionals, and all citizens mobilized for the cause. A petition against the removal of reimbursement for spa treatments has already gathered thousands of signatures, reflecting a collective awareness of the issue.

Call to action

Martinez urged people to sign and widely share the petition, emphasizing that each signature counts in defending spa visitors, jobs, businesses, and the future of the valleys. She stated that the fight goes beyond political divisions and concerns the future of the communes, the health of citizens, and the vitality of the territories.