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French National Assembly Advances Three-Year Halt on Maternity Ward Closures

The measure, aimed at addressing rising infant mortality, includes safety assessments for low-volume wards and a new national birth registry.

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En France, depuis 2020, la mortalité infantile est en hausse.
La proposition de loi pour un moratoire sur la fermeture des maternités, adoptée en première lecture jeudi 15 mai 2025, était portée par le groupe centriste Liot dans le cadre de sa « niche » parlementaire.
Le texte a été approuvé par 97 voix pour contre 4.

Overview

  • The National Assembly approved in first reading a three-year moratorium on maternity ward closures, except in cases of safety risks, by a vote of 97 to 4.
  • The moratorium responds to an increase in France's infant mortality rate, which rose from 3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 4.1 in 2024, according to official statistics.
  • During the pause, maternity wards with fewer than 1,000 births annually will undergo evaluations to ensure safety and quality of care.
  • A national birth registry will be created to consolidate fragmented data and better understand factors contributing to infant mortality trends.
  • The bill, introduced by the centrist Liot group, reflects ongoing debates over balancing local access to maternity care with clinical proficiency and safety concerns.