Three Weeks Instead of Two Years: Szłapka Signals Consequences for KO MP
Civic Coalition MP Małgorzata Pępek faces potential disciplinary action after reports surfaced that she bypassed a two-year waiting list at a Żywiec hospital, receiving a medical exam in just three...
Civic Coalition MP Małgorzata Pępek faces potential disciplinary action after reports surfaced that she bypassed a two-year waiting list at a Żywiec hospital, receiving a medical exam in just three weeks.
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Shortcut to Healthcare
On Tuesday, June 23, Portal Zero reported that Civic Coalition MP Małgorzata Pępek received medical diagnostics at a hospital in Żywiec this past February ahead of the regular queue. The MP secured the appointment just three weeks after booking, despite an average wait time exceeding 23 months.
Government and Party Response
Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka addressed the matter during a Tuesday press conference, stating that the MP will appear before the Civic Coalition club board to provide explanations. He emphasized that he is not defending the situation and that the incident must be thoroughly investigated.
Speaking earlier on Polsat News, Szłapka noted that Pępek would need to explain the circumstances precisely and that consequences would follow depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Hospital Stance and Investigation
The Żywiec hospital determined that the MP had jumped the queue and did not bill the National Health Fund for the procedure. In a letter to Pępek, the facility stated that only a doctor can expedite a procedure based on a patient’s health status, which was not the case here.
Portal Zero reported that Pępek received notification from the hospital regarding her queue-jumping but chose to ignore it, arguing that as a taxpayer, she was entitled to the service. Pępek claims she was registered by a hospital employee associated with her political party.
MP’s Defense
Appearing on wPolsce24, Pępek stated she did not demand or ask for any special treatment. She claimed that she was simply called to fill a vacant slot for a gastroscopy and suggested that the hospital should be thanking her for filling the gap. The hospital did not demand reimbursement but requested she avoid such privileges in the future.
Pępek dismissed the public interest in her medical procedure, calling the intense scrutiny an anecdote.