The “Safe Patient” medical summit is taking place in Warsaw, with the participation of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, representatives of the Ministry of Health, and President Karol Nawrocki's entourage.
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Zbigniew Bogucki asks Donald Tusk. “Will the 10 billion come back?”
The most decisive speech came from the head of the Chancellery of the President, Zbigniew Bogucki. He demanded that Prime Minister Donald Tusk provide written confirmation that savings of PLN 10.4 billion – suggested in correspondence between the Ministry of Health and Finance – would not be implemented.. He pointed out that the document implies a risk of returning to solutions that were previously controversial. Bogucki warned that “you are returning to the limits when it comes to glaucoma, imaging tests for oncology patients, specialist services, free medicines for children, pregnant women and the elderly,” which, in his opinion, would have real consequences for patients. He also emphasized that, according to the letter, funds for district hospitals would be limited.
He asked the Prime Minister directly: “Are you able to state in writing today that there will be no such solutions (…)? Are you able to say that the PLN 10 billion will be returned?” At the same time, he asked whether the Prime Minister would agree to the presence of the Minister of Health during the Friday health summit organized at the Presidential Palace.
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The Minister of Health reassures: “No limits have been introduced”
Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda commented on these allegations. She explained that the letter of October 29 – which became the basis for Bogucki's speech – was a technical element of budget talks with the Ministry of Finance, and not a decision on cuts. As she pointed out, “As for limits in outpatient specialist care, nothing of this kind has been introduced.”
The minister also emphasized that work on reforms to tidy up the system is underway. She mainly pointed to the analysis of the implementation of a degressive rate, for example in the treatment of cataracts. She also talked about the standardization of the “Good Meal” program in hospitals and ongoing talks with the medical community regarding postgraduate internships and minimum wages. She emphasized that her ministry, together with the Ministry of Finance, identifies areas requiring improvement. Referring to Friday's meeting at the Presidential Palace, she announced that “a representative of the Ministry of Health will participate in the meeting at the president's.”
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Donald Tusk puts an end to speculations about health insurance premiums
In his speech, Prime Minister Donald Tusk focused mainly on the issue of financing health care by increasing health insurance contributions. He firmly rejected this possibility, emphasizing: “We do not plan to increase health insurance premiums.” He added that although part of the medical community considers higher contributions to be necessary, the government will not take such a step – “no, there is no possibility to increase health insurance contributions this or next year.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized that questions about increasing expenditures are justified, but the government will not seek additional funds by charging contribution payers. Systemic financial solutions are – as he suggested – to come from sources other than raising levies.
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