Proposed Law to Guarantee Free Parking at Public Hospitals for Patients, Visitors, and Staff During Working Hours

This French legislative proposal requires all public healthcare establishments to make their parking facilities free of charge. The measure targets a broad range of users: patients receiving care, their family caregivers (proches aidants), visitors, transport providers accompanying patients, and hospital staff while on duty. The proposal addresses a widely criticized practice in France where public hospitals charge for parking, adding a financial burden on people who are often already in vulnerable or stressful situations. Patients undergoing repeated treatments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, or rehabilitation are particularly affected by cumulative parking costs. For hospital staff, the bill specifically covers working hours, recognizing that employees — especially those working non-standard shifts with limited public transport options — should not bear the cost of parking as part of their professional obligation to be on-site. The financial impact of the measure would fall on public hospital administrations, which currently generate revenue from parking concessions or direct fees. The proposal does not specify a compensation mechanism for lost revenue, which may be a point of contention during legislative debate.

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