Riviera Reporter
Riviera Reporter
THE FRENCH RIVIERA'S ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWS MAGAZINE
THE FRENCH RIVIERA'S ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWS MAGAZINE

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France seeks help from allies to bolster security during Paris Olympics
France seeks help from allies to bolster security during Paris Olympics France has asked its foreign allies to send several thousand members of their security forces to help guard the Paris Olympics, officials said Thursday, underlining the strains caused by the sporting extravaganza which begins in July.
Macron joins online jokes about cuddly 'wedding' pics with Lula
Macron joins online jokes about cuddly 'wedding' pics with Lula French President Emmanuel Macron joined social media users Thursday in their jokes that likened his cozy pictures with Brazilian President Lula to those from a wedding album.
France seeks help from allies to bolster security during Paris Olympics
France seeks help from allies to bolster security during Paris Olympics France has asked its foreign allies to send several thousand members of their security forces to help guard the Paris Olympics, officials said Thursday, underlining the strains caused by the sporting extravaganza which begins in July.
Podcast: France-Russia relations, hair discrimination, tax history
Podcast: France-Russia relations, hair discrimination, tax history How France's new hardline position on Russia marks a major shift away from decades of pro-Russia policies. The fight to make hair discrimination illegal. And why VAT – a tax introduced 70 years ago – is so important to French finances, despite being deeply unequal.
The countdown to the Monaco E-Prix has begun The Monaco E-Prix will kick off what is set to be a very busy spring for motorsports in the Principality.
Larvotto Beach gets ready for the summer season The sandy beach in Larvotto is to be levelled and smoothed out ahead of summer. Swimming will be forbidden during the three-week project, but the public will still be able to enjoy access to the beach.
Why are we changing the clocks on Easter Sunday? Daylight Saving Time is set to commence on 31st March at 2am, the same day as Easter Sunday, which has come particularly early this year. We explain the reasoning behind both.
Sport, innovation and philanthropy to unite at first-ever Padel Best Expo The fresh new concept from Italian company BSG is essentially a celebration of all things Padel, a sport experiencing rapid international growth and a boom in popularity, through a blend of competitions, networking opportunities, exhibitions and social impact initiatives.

The French Riviera's English Language Magazine

Dutch medicine for that Social Security deficit?

PillsOur French friends seem to love visiting doctors and picking up pills from the pharmacy, even when there’s little need to do so. Result: that massive la Sécu deficit. The Dutch government has – to a lesser extent – the same problem and reader Wim van der Sprenkel tells us they’ve come up within an effective solution.

A Dutch person who doesn’t go into hospital or get a doctor’s prescription in a given year gets a payment of €255 for this restraint. This sum is reduced by the cost of any medicines received. Last year some 4 million people qualified for a payment. The system doesn’t apply to routine visits to a GP or to maternity care.

According to a health ministry spokesman, “The result has been very positive, lots of people just aren’t getting sick.” As the Dutch say in their direct way, “Geld stinkt niet.”

From Riviera Reporter Issue 126: April/May 2008