The call for a one-day strike by France's national union of independent radiologists (Fédération nationale de médecins radiologues [FNMR]) has been a great success, according to FNMR President Dr. Jean-Philippe Masson in a statement released by the union on 23 March. Around 80% of independent imaging centers closed in support of the union's campaign, he noted.
"This action proves radiologists' exasperation with the dictates of the national medical insurance fund for salaried workers (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie [CNAMTS]), which is aiming to reduce the rates for technical acts. Article 99 of the social security budget law allows the director of CNAMTS to unilaterally decide on reductions in tariffs without considering the economics of radiology centers," Masson noted.
Masson said these reductions would negatively affect capacity for investment across radiology practices. He also stressed the one-day strike had been well accepted by patients who wished to support their local radiologists.
The strike is the first stage in a long fight between radiologists and the CNAMTS, according to the statement.
