An election campaign should be a substantive plebiscite that will bring us answers to important questions about issues of public interest. Meanwhile, in the current election, even issues related to health care are treated as a possible bludgeon with which opponents wrap each other.
Doctors disappointed by lack of health care topics in presidential campaign
Published May 27, 2025 10:00
- I know that this is idealistic thinking, because the candidates are busy with just about everything and not health-related topics, but it is our duty to mark important topics for patients, doctors and dentists. Hence our questions, which we would like to get answers to this week from Rafal Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki," says Michal Bulsa, president of the Regional Medical Council in Szczecin.
The election campaign is nearing its finale. Doctors and dentists make no secret of the fact that the community feels disappointment that health care topics were addressed less often than expected. The president's competence in terms of concern for the situation of patients and physicians is relatively small, but the example of Andrzej Duda's presidential veto on the topic of health premiums shows that it is also an important voice.
The Regional Medical Council of Szczecin formulated several theses once questions about which the conversation in the election campaign should take place.
- Health and housing are two of the most important social issues for Poles. However, political parties and presidential candidates know that these are at the same time the most difficult issues, which cannot be solved without money, concepts and proper factual background. The presidential candidates in this campaign did not even try to surround or meet with doctors and dentists to talk about health, which we find disappointing. The topic of queues to doctors, preventive care, European drug policy or, of course, the health premium should be widely discussed, because it's important for the broad general public," says Michal Bulsa.
President Michal Bulsa, in consultation with doctors and dentists, formulated several theses important for the medical community in Poland.
What are the expectations of doctors and dentists from the president?
- We expect a clear statement on whether the new president will sign a law lowering health premiums for entrepreneurs while not guaranteeing statutory compensation from the state budget to the National Health Fund
- We are awaiting a presidential declaration on minimum salaries for medical personnel. Will changes to lower standards for working conditions and salaries in this area meet with the president's approval and be signed?
- How does the President plan to influence the Government's policy on the subject of the situation of patients waiting in growing queues for doctors and dentists?
- The President works with the Health Council, which analyzes the situation in health care, prepares opinions and expert reports for the President, and supports the President's legislative efforts. Do you intend to have a legislative initiative on health-related topics?
We expect that the cooperation between the health care community and the president will go well, and that our voice on the most important issues for doctors, dentists and patients will not be ignored.
- We expect that still in this campaign the candidates will speak on health care topics. The second round of elections should be more substantive, and unfortunately at this point it is not," says Michal Bulsa.
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