French Ambulance Workers Block Roads in Paris to Protest Reforms (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - At least 100 ambulance workers blocked roads in central Paris Monday using their vehicles, to demand the suspension of a new medical transport finance reform.
Ambulances were parked up in Place de la Concorde and on a nearby bridge, close to the National Assembly, with paramedics screeching sirens and blocking access to the square from Rue de Rivoli.
Ambulance workers are demanding the withdrawal of article 80 of the Social Security Finance Act, through which hospitals and clinics are able to choose their ambulance service providers via competitive bidding, and to pay for them directly. Previously, patients had the choice of preferred provider.
According to the protesters, the new system would favor larger transport companies since smaller firms would not be able to compete on price.
