French doctors protest over health and welfare reforms

French doctors are supporting the demonstrations and strikes that are sweeping the country in protest at the government's plans to cut back on the welfare system and to control rising medical costs. The Confederation des Syndicats Medicaux Francais (CSMF), the largest medical union, urged all its members to demonstrate against what it called the “authoritative” cuts proposed by Alain Juppe, the French prime minister. The CSMF was joined by other medical trade unions in asking doctors and other health professionals to demonstrate in Paris on 17 December. …