Axel Ronse: “Since the start of this government, we have dismantled the PS state”

The federal government will need to find at least €10 billion over the coming years. According to N-VA parliamentary group leader Axel Ronse, a significant part of the solution lies in making healthcare more efficient through better monitoring of incapacity for work and a more targeted allocation of the increased healthcare reimbursement. He made these remarks on Tuesday during De Ochtend on Radio 1.

“Since the start of this government, we have dismantled the PS state,” says Axel Ronse. “We have been living in a country where people were kept dependent on benefits for as long as possible. We have fundamentally changed that. We have limited unemployment benefits in time and, with our energy policy—which is crucial for our competitiveness—we are moving back towards nuclear capacity. We are also taking action on migration: people must first live, work and contribute here for five years before they can benefit from social advantages.”

“We are turning around a ship that had capsized. The problem is that a major storm is raging on the sea we are sailing. That storm is slower economic growth and rising interest rates. As a result, we need to find at least €10 billion.”

Monitoring incapacity for work

“In our view, much of that money can be found in healthcare. If responsibility for monitoring incapacity for work is taken away from the health insurance funds, those checks will be carried out properly. All the indications we have received show that this is not happening correctly today.”

“Anyone who is ill deserves the best possible care and adequate benefits. As far as I am concerned, those benefits could even be higher than they are today. But the assessment of incapacity for work must be carried out properly. At present, that is simply not the case. If this responsibility were transferred to the Auxiliary Sickness and Disability Insurance Fund or the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance ( NIHDI The National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI/RIZIV/INAMI) is a federal public agency that organises healthcare, a part of social security. The organisation is responsible for four key services: Medical Care, Benefits, Medical Assessments and Verification, and the Administrative Supervision Service. The NIHDI is made up of representatives of workers, employers, health insurance funds and healthcare providers. Different parties on the Flemish side strongly advocate for healthcare to be transferred to the Communities. NIHDI /RIZIV), it would generate substantial savings without anyone noticing the difference.”

A more targeted allocation of increased healthcare reimbursement

“There is also the increased healthcare reimbursement scheme. This provides additional support for medical expenses for vulnerable people. It is an excellent principle, but it costs us €3 billion every year. Beneficiaries pay only €1 for a visit to their general practitioner, enjoy lower heating costs, reduced public transport fares and many other advantages.”

“Today, around 21% of all Belgians hold this status, at the expense of everyone else. Yet the poverty risk has fallen to 10.5% in recent years. Social support should reach those who genuinely need it. If we refine the eligibility criteria and ensure that increased healthcare reimbursement is reserved for the truly vulnerable, we will create additional budgetary room,” Ronse concludes.