Polish MP Urszula Rusecka slammed senior policy minister Marzena Okła‑Drewnowicz in a heated Sejm debate, accusing her of misleading citizens and sparking a public row over the new Senior Credit scheme.
Parliamentary Row Over Senior Policy
MP Urszula Rusecka confronted Marzena Okła‑Drewnowicz, demanding she stop deceiving seniors and calling her actions shameful. She accused the minister of offering a 100‑day “Senior Credit” that was never processed and of conducting nationwide consultations that did nothing to amend the flawed plan.
The MP warned that without the alert raised by PiS MPs, the program would have slipped past scrutiny and that the senior benefits would worsen if the scheme continued unchecked.
Minister’s Proposed Senior Credit Scheme
Okła‑Drewnowicz described the initiative as a chance to counter misinformation and to improve the program through public consultation. She said the measures would be fully financed and that the funds were earmarked in a dedicated reserve.
The minister claimed that the “copy‑paste” programs of previous administrations were avoided and that the scheme was built to be functional.
Financial Viability and Budget Constraints
The MP highlighted that the 2025 budget lacks the money needed to support the Senior Credit and reiterated that seniors would suffer if drug‑free programs were cut, cataract operations restricted, specialist consultations limited, and the 14th pension reduced.
She questioned the financial logic behind the proposed benefits and urged for clearer budgeting.
Official Response From the Minister
Okła‑Drewnowicz reiterated confidence that the program will work next year and that the consultations are essential. She defended its design and warned that the lack of public understanding makes the policy “unthinkable” for some.
She said the initiative differs from the “copy‑paste” solutions of the past and emphasized that the measure was created to be functional.
What Is the Senior Credit?
The scheme replaces cash aid with care services, providing up to 2,150 zł per month to cover up to 50 hours of professional care. The credit cannot be converted to cash and unused hours expire each month.
It originally applied to those 75 years and older, but for 2026‑2028 the age threshold will rise to 80, giving municipalities time to prepare workforce and resources.
