GMT French presidential candidate Fillon changes tack on healthcare
Source: Reuters
Tue Feb 21, 2017 | 8:37am GMT
French conservative presidential election candidate Francois Fillon changed tack on public healthcare on Tuesday, saying he would ensure universal access to free eye-glasses, hearing aids and false teeth if elected.
The proposal contrasted starkly with his initial programme, which centred on introducing private health insurance rather than state-provided coverage for all but serious and long-term illness, a policy that proved unpopular among his own supporters as well as voters generally.
Fillon, who was widely expected to win the April-May election before he was hit by a scandal over payments of state funds to his wife and children, is seeking to regain lost ground, even as he remains a strong contender in the race.
Opinion polls taken this year have consistently showed far-right leader Marine Le Pen winning the first round of the two-round ballot but losing the runoff on May 7 to either Fillon or independent centrist Emmanuel Macron.
Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-election-fillon-idUKKBN1600R7?rpc=401&