Morocco’s Economic Council urges generalization of AMO health coverage

The Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), in its opinion on draft law No. 54.23 amending Law No. 65.00 on compulsory basic health insurance (AMO), recommended the generalization of AMO, the removal of «closed rights», and the conduct of an actuarial study of health insurance schemes.

Adopted unanimously on January 28, 2026, following a referral from the House of Representatives, the opinion builds on CESE’s previous work on social protection. It outlines key levers to ensure effective implementation of this strategic reform, aligned with national frameworks and Royal guidelines.

The draft law is a major structural reform aimed at unifying and modernizing Morocco’s health coverage system, notably through the creation of a single managing body by transferring public-sector coverage from CNOPS to CNSS. It also includes reforms to student coverage, transitional complementary coverage, clearer access conditions for non-contributors, and strengthened CNSS governance.

CESE stresses the need to ensure universal coverage and eliminate non-affiliation or «closed rights». It highlights financial sustainability as a key challenge, warning of risks linked to transferring structurally deficit schemes without prior reforms and proper oversight.

The Council calls for gradual convergence of schemes through harmonized contributions, reimbursement levels, and care packages to ensure equity. It also emphasizes the need for sustainable financing, inclusive growth, and integration of the informal sector.

CESE recommends consolidating a unified mandatory system based on solidarity and complemented by additional coverage. It calls for urgent actuarial studies over at least 20 years, revision of public-sector contributions, and updated reference pricing unchanged since 2006.

Further recommendations include making AMO registration compulsory, strengthening mutual insurance, protecting students through autonomous coverage, and ensuring access for orphans or uninsured families. It also urges tighter control of healthcare spending through treatment protocols, e-prescriptions, and a stronger role for the health authority.

Finally, CESE advocates for national social protection accounts, a digital system to track healthcare spending, strict data protection, and improved contribution collection mechanisms.