KO MP Skips Two-Year Hospital Queue, Claims Facility Should Be Grateful

Civic Coalition MP Małgorzata Pępek faces criticism after bypassing a 23-month waiting list for a gastroscopy at a hospital in Żywiec, subsequently suggesting the facility should thank her for filling the vacancy.

The Incident and Ministerial Response

Portal Zero reported on Tuesday, June 23, that Civic Coalition (KO) MP Małgorzata Pępek accessed medical diagnostics at a hospital in Żywiec this past February ahead of the standard queue. The average wait time for such procedures at the facility exceeds 23 months, yet the MP secured an appointment only three weeks after scheduling.

Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka addressed the matter during a press conference, confirming that Pępek will provide explanations to the KO parliamentary club. Szłapka stated he does not defend such actions, emphasizing that the situation requires thorough clarification and potential consequences.

Institutional Conflict and Allegations of Abuse

Hospital administration determined that Pępek bypassed the queue without medical justification, as only a physician may expedite appointments based on patient health status. Consequently, the hospital did not bill the National Health Fund (NFZ) for the procedure and requested the MP refrain from seeking similar privileges in the future.

Pępek maintains that she did not request special treatment, claiming she was simply notified of a cancellation. She argued that because she pays social contributions, she is entitled to the care, and suggested the hospital should be grateful she utilized the empty slot.

Retaliatory Interpellations

Internal sources at the hospital suggest that after receiving the institution’s letter regarding the unauthorized procedure, Pępek began filing a series of aggressive inquiries. This marked a notable shift from her previous public support for the facility’s management and her earlier appeals for additional funding.

Following the dispute, the MP submitted interpellations to the Minister of Health questioning the hospital’s management practices and the transparency of its financial accounts. The facility views this sudden scrutiny as an act of retaliation for their initial notice of the abuse.