The Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC) is calling for cancer patients to receive 100 percent of their sick pay, with a study estimating that the measure would have a net impact of just 14 million euros on the State Budget.
Full sick leave payments for cancer patients would have a net impact of 14 million euros on the State Budget, “representing only 1.4 percent of the total expenditure on sick pay,” according to the LPCC (Portuguese League Against Cancer).
The LPCC warned on Friday that the current sick leave system “particularly penalises” workers on lower incomes and therefore considers it a priority that sick pay be increased to 100 percent, especially since this would have “a very low impact” on the State Budget, RTP Notícias reports.
The study “Payment of sickness benefits to cancer patients” was commissioned by the LPCC and conducted by consulting firm Forvis Mazars. According to the study, the reduction in income for cancer patients occurs at a time when they also face an increase in direct and indirect costs associated with the disease.
“During treatment, healthcare costs are higher, while economic impacts related to absenteeism, loss of productivity, and prolonged disability accumulate,” the LPCC said.
Therefore, the LPCC considers it a priority to “strengthen the protection of the income of people with cancer when they become unable to work.”
Financial impact on the State Budget
“The study demonstrates that strengthening the protection given to cancer patients has a very low impact on public finances. The estimated 14 million euros represent only 1.4 percent of the total expenditure on sick pay but can make a very significant difference in the lives of patients and their families. Those facing a cancer diagnosis should not be confronted, at the same time, with such a significant drop in their income,” said Vítor Veloso, president of the Portuguese League Against Cancer, in the press release.
The study also highlights that cancer patients going on sick leave can face a significant loss of income.
“In the first 30 days of sick leave, for example, a worker with a gross salary of 920 euros can lose 44 percent of their net income, while for a gross salary of 1,694 euros the loss can reach 35 percent,” Veloso said.
In a scenario where cancer patients receive 100 percent of their benefits, Social Security spending would increase by approximately 34 million euros, “but the increase in state revenue, estimated at 20 million euros, would reduce the net impact of the measure to around 14 million euros, equivalent to 1.4 percent of total sickness benefit expenditure.”
Cancer cases in Portugal
Around 61,000 new cancer cases are registered in Portugal each year, with a prevalence exceeding 200,000 people.
“Although the incidence of the disease is higher in older age groups, approximately 38.7 percent of new cases occur between the ages of 19 and 64, encompassing a significant portion of the working-age population,” notes the LPCC.
The data show that Portugal has lower levels of spending on cancer care than the European average, representing about 4 percent of total health expenditure, compared to 5.5 percent in the EU.