The idea of lowering the health premium raises serious concerns in the medical community. According to doctors, such a solution could lead to the weakening of the health care system, longer queues to specialists and a decline in the quality of medical services. - Looking for savings in health care is a political kamikaze mission, warns Michal Bulsa, president of the Regional Medical Council in Szczecin.
Lowering the health premium is a "kamikaze mission." Governing coalition, don't go down this road....
Published March 28, 2025 08:40
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The health of the Polish people at the expense of political gamesmanship?
Among the ruling coalition parties, the idea of lowering the health premium has been floated as a way to provide relief to entrepreneurs. According to experts, such a measure would weaken the budget of the National Health Fund, which is already facing serious financial shortfalls.
- I am surprised and embarrassed by this discussion. The answer for any doctor is obvious: health premiums must not be moved. Anyone who thinks otherwise should visit hospital waiting rooms and listen to patients waiting for two years to see a specialist," says Michal Bulsa sharply.
"Less money for the National Health Service means longer queues".
According to the president of the ORL in Szczecin, the reduction in the health contribution may directly affect the situation of patients. A smaller budget means reduced access to treatment, longer queues and the need to continue looking for savings in hospitals.
- We were supposed to subsidize health, shorten queues, stop saving on the health of Poles. And instead I hear about "optimization" and more cuts," Bulsa comments.
Alternative: VAT instead of health cuts
The Regional Medical Council in Szczecin is calling for a different solution - instead of reducing the health premium, it is calling for a reduction in VAT to 22%. - This is a democratic and fair solution that will relieve businesses, but will not take resources away from health care. If politicians decide to weaken the financing of the National Health Fund, patients will feel it on their skin, Bulsa warns.
Appeal to the government: less politics, more conversation
Doctors expect a clear statement from the government: will patients be safe? For now, however, they remain concerned.
- We appeal to the Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Health: less political calculations, more conversations with the people," concludes Michal Bulsa.
Source: OIL in Szczecin
