Tusk Calls for Systemic Reform After Councillor’s Massive Earnings Spark Scandal

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a government investigation into the earnings of a Civic Coalition councillor who reportedly made nearly 1.6 million PLN, describing the case as evidence of a wider systemic failure.

Investigation into earnings and legal compliance

Public outrage erupted following reports concerning the income of a young physician, which also carried political implications. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday, June 16, that an audit has been initiated to determine whether these actions were lawful or crossed legal boundaries. The prosecutor’s office will also examine the details of the situation.

According to the head of government, the “cosmic earnings within an unclear employment structure” serve as an illustration of a broader issue. Tusk emphasized the need to collaborate with the medical community to address growing suspicion regarding how and why these high salaries are justified.

Reforming oversight of healthcare compensation

The Prime Minister stated that the current system lacks the transparency required for the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund to monitor who earns what within specific hospitals. He noted that all data is currently anonymized, preventing meaningful oversight.

Tusk stressed that it is in the medical profession’s own interest to have reliable information on salary structures to properly value procedures and professional contributions. A new bill is expected to be adopted by the government to allow a state agency to track earnings across institutions to prevent similar scandalous situations.

Details of the councillor’s income

Asset declarations from 29-year-old Civic Coalition councillor Dawid Kacprzyk show he earned nearly 1.6 million PLN last year through medical service contracts. Kacprzyk serves as an emergency department coordinator at the Southern Hospital in Warsaw.

The hospital maintains that Kacprzyk worked nearly 4,000 hours last year and was the only candidate to apply for the contract in a market-rate competition. Following the controversy, the councillor resigned from the Civic Coalition, and the Warsaw City Hall has launched an audit of the hospital.