“The minister wants to touch the very essence of the liberal health professions”
Brussels, September 23, 2025 – On this World Liberal Professions Day, UNPLIB is more than circumspect about Minister Vandenbroucke’s draft health framework law. “This goes to the very essence of all healthcare providers
Liberals: the freedom to set their fees.” The supervision of care is not called into question but this project clearly goes too far. For many health care professionals, the investments are considerable and deconvention is their only alternative to keep their heads above water.
The UNPLIB Health Commission is cautious about the draft framework law from Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke. “We are well aware of the need for health reform in the face of budgetary slippage, but the project, as presented by the Minister, touches the very essence of what makes a liberal healthcare profession: the freedom to set one's fees.” Freedom of practice and prices is the foundation
even from a liberal profession. It should also be emphasized that the project does not affect
only doctors but all liberal (para)medical professions.
That public financing of health care must be accompanied by a framework seems legitimate and we do not dispute this necessity, particularly in terms of quality of care for the patient.
But the minister cannot want to nationalize everything. For example, wanting to cap fee supplements at 25% for exempt service providers clearly constitutes an attack on the freedom of our professions.
UNPLIB also notes that, for many health professionals, the material investments for the benefit of the patient are considerable: medical equipment, monitoring devices, digital tools, adapted premises, etc. These expenses are directly incurred for the benefit of patients. Fee supplements therefore do not only constitute a “gain” intended to line the practitioner’s pocket, but contribute to the financing of these investments which are essential to quality practice.
However, to avoid two-tier medicine, UNPLIB believes that consultation must be maintained.
But this only makes sense if it is accompanied by a revaluation and refinancing of services. For practitioners to adhere to the agreed rates in the interest of patients, it is essential that they also find a benefit. The balance of the system is based on a win-win approach, where the quality and accessibility of care go hand in hand with the recognition and fair remuneration of the work of caregivers. UNPLIB advocates a partial (de)convention accessible to ALL healthcare providers.
The UNPLIB, and its partner the SNI, point out that the prices linked to the agreement are, moreover, already obligatory in a certain number of cases, in particular for the care given to BIM patients (formerly VIPO), the number of which continues to increase.
Another aspect that should not be overlooked is the relationship between caregivers, hospitals and mutual insurance companies. This project would interfere with this report and in particular endanger hospital institutions.
The UNPLIB also requests that the 1999 law concerning osteopathy and chiropractic be finally implemented according to the opinions given to the FPS Health by the dedicated chambers made up of representatives of medical faculties and practitioners.
Finally, UNPLIB is surprised to see the minister brandish, in his framework law, the threat of withdrawal of the INAMI number from certain practitioners in the event of fraud.
For the UNPLIB, this decision falls within the competence of the professional orders.
This is why UNPLIB is preparing, in collaboration with the office of the Federal Minister of Health, the creation of a transversal order for health professions which do not have one to date. Doctors and pharmacists already have their own orders.
UNPLIB wishes to continue these negotiations with the Minister in a spirit of consultation.
About UNPLIB
UNPLIB ASBL, an interprofessional association, has the main missions of promoting, defending and representing the moral, social and economic interests common to the liberal professions.
About the SNI
The Neutral Union for Independents (SNI) is a neutral organization which represents the self-employed, the liberal and intellectual professions as well as SMEs throughout the country. The SNI is the voice of these entrepreneurs and defends their social, economic and cultural interests vis-à-vis the authorities, public opinion and the media. The SNI follows its own independent course and is not linked to any political party or opinion or to any specific sector.
Contact persons
Bernard Jacquemin, President UNPLIB, 0475/32 29 16, president@unplib.be Jean Ruwet, Vice-President UNPLIB, 0475/47 59 48
Christophe Wambersie, Secretary General Wallonia-Brussels SNI, 0471/65 46 69, christopher
