Leszczyna also announced that the National Health Fund already needs the third financial support from the state budget this year. By June, the total sum of subsidies amounted to PLN 21.5 billion – and this is still not enough. – “Is the National Health Fund in a difficult financial situation? Yes” – the minister admitted, answering the questions of MPs.
The data shows that PLN 18.3 billion planned for 2025 until May was spent over PLN 15 billion. The NFZ general reserve in the amount of PLN 1.7 billion was also used entirely. In addition, as reported by “Gazeta Wyborcza”, 4 billion zlotys transferred in March to cover surplus for 2023, came from a budget pool reserved for the medical fund.
Experts cited by PAP emphasize that the NFZ problem is not only low revenues from health contributions, but also growing expenses related to a greater number of services, unlimited oncological treatment and an increase in drug reimbursement. Dr Jerzy Gryglewicz also pointed out that the fund must settle arrears for the previous year at the beginning of the year, which further charges the budget.
In the updated financial plan for 2025, the costs of benefits were estimated at over PLN 185 billion, but there was still no increase in the minimum wage in health care, which traditionally enters into force on July 1. Leszczyna pointed out that it was the lack of this record that was the reason why the finance minister Andrzej Domański has not yet approved the plan. – “I would like the increases to apply from January 1,” she added.
Higher minimum salaries affect not only full -time health care workers, but also on doctors employed on contracts. Their salaries – being part of the valuation of benefits – automatically grow along with increases in these rates, because contracts often assume a percentage of the amount paid by the National Health Fund.
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Hazel says when she could resign
A chance to improve the financial condition of the Fund is to be planned for the hospital reform act, the new version of which is to enter into force in 2025. – “If it fails, I am ready to resign “ – the minister emphasized. The reform, which will be the fourth version, assumes, among others, the introduction of repair plans and aid programs for the most indebted hospitals. Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego is to provide support. – “If the hospital after the implementation of the recovery program begins to balance and ceases to have an annual loss, then one tenth debt will be discontinued each year,” Leszczyna explained. According to the Ministry of Health, hospital debt currently reaches approx. PLN 27 billion
