MP Skips Two-Year Medical Waitlist via Personal Connections

Civic Coalition MP Małgorzata Pępek bypassed a 23-month waiting list for a specialized examination at a hospital in Żywiec, securing the appointment in just twenty-one days through personal connections.

Connections Over the Public Health System

The incident occurred in early 2025. According to reports from Zero.pl, Małgorzata Pępek did not wait for her turn in the National Health Fund (NFZ) system. She admitted to journalists that she secured the accelerated appointment through connections with an employee at the hospital’s maternity ward who is also politically affiliated with the Civic Coalition.

Pępek does not appear to accept responsibility, characterizing the management’s subsequent internal investigation as a political attack on the staff member involved.

Internal Audit Confirms Procedural Breach

An internal audit conducted by the hospital administration in Żywiec confirmed that the MP was inserted into the schedule by completely bypassing the required queue. The hospital’s reaction was immediate: the facility refused to bill this medical procedure to the National Health Fund.

The hospital administration issued a firm letter to the MP’s office, stating that only medical necessity should dictate the prioritization of diagnostics, not political affiliation. However, the hospital did not demand payment from Pępek, merely requesting that she refrain from using such privileges in the future.

A Sudden Shift in Allegiance

Prior to this incident in 2024, Małgorzata Pępek was a vocal defender of the Żywiec hospital, frequently submitting interpellations to the Ministry of Health and praising the management for maintaining access to care. Her stance changed significantly following the hospital’s reprimand regarding the queue-jumping.

The situation has caused a stir in the region, illustrating that overcoming long waiting lists for specialists remains a challenge primarily for those without direct access to influential contacts.