On 5 December, Polish President Karol Nawrocki denounced Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration for withholding a crucial health bill and politicalising a presidential health summit.
Presidential health summit. Karol Nawrocki on the absence of the Health Minister
On Friday, 5 December, a presidential health summit was held under the slogan “Naratunek ochronie zdrowia.” Participants included government officials and representatives from the medical community.
The president began by commenting on the absence of Health Minister Jolanta Sobierajska‑Grenda, noting that Vice‑Minister Tomasz Maciejewski appeared in her place. He expressed disappointment at the minister’s absence, stating that she would have had the opportunity to speak with medical representatives at the summit. He added that the health minister’s presence at such a meeting is an obligation.
President signs amendment to the Medical Fund Act
Karol Nawrocki signed an amendment to the Medical Fund Act that will allow an additional transfer of about 3.5 billion PLN to the NFZ.
The president highlighted that the act was partially prepared in collaboration with his ministers and advisers and explained that he had not consented to withdrawing four billion PLN from the Medical Fund this year—funds earmarked for oncology, cardiology, and pediatric therapies. He warned that without parliamentary veto, the shortfall could exceed 7.5 billion PLN in patient treatment.
Karol Nawrocki criticises Donald Tusk’s government. “The government delayed the bill to blackmail the president”
The amendment to the Medical Fund Act was expedited, created in less than a month. Nawrocki accused the government of waiting until the last moment to “take patients hostage” and blackmail the President of Poland.
He pleaded with the Prime Minister to refrain from politicising health protection and to cease treating the issue as a political dispute.
President: The ruling party avoided a meeting for many months
Nawrocki said a government presence at the presidential summit was a positive signal, but noted that the ruling party had avoided such meetings for many months. He stressed that health protection should not be a platform for political tricks and that the focus must be on the outcomes of the discussions.
He expressed anticipation for state decisions and proposals, emphasizing the need for cooperation. He welcomed the fact that after meeting with medical representatives, the ruling party finally found time to engage in discussion.