President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a healthcare amendment concerning infectious disease treatment and language proficiency standards for non-EU physicians, citing significant concerns regarding patient safety and the legislative process.
The Veto and Legislative Dispute
President Karol Nawrocki announced his decision to veto the amendment to the Healthcare Benefits Act on Thursday. While the legislation aimed to improve financing for HIV treatment and HCV diagnostics, the President took issue with provisions extending the deadline for non-EU doctors to pass Polish language proficiency exams.
Nawrocki criticized the government for including these language-related regulations as an unexpected insertion into a bill primarily focused on combatting infectious diseases. He stated that he could not accept the inclusion of provisions that raise serious doubts regarding patient safety within such critical health legislation.
Language Standards and Patient Safety
The vetoed bill proposed extending the deadline for non-EU doctors to submit Polish language certificates, at a B1 level, to May 1, 2027. Under these rules, doctors failing to provide documentation by May 2026 would not lose their license to practice.
The President emphasized that effective communication between doctor and patient is a fundamental requirement for healthcare quality. He argued that language barriers in medical settings could lead to tragic misunderstandings, insisting that public funds should support doctors capable of communicating clearly with their patients.
Medical Community Reaction and Government Response
The Supreme Medical Council (NRL) expressed satisfaction with the veto, noting that they have long advocated for maintaining language standards to ensure treatment safety. NRL President Łukasz Jankowski stated that patient safety and standardized professional requirements must remain paramount.
Conversely, the Ministry of Health previously warned that the veto would leave uninsured HIV patients and prison inmates with Hepatitis C without access to necessary healthcare services, creating a significant epidemiological risk. The Ministry clarified that the proposed changes were intended to correct regulatory gaps created in 2022.
Presidential Alternative
Following the veto, the President’s office announced that Karol Nawrocki has submitted his own legislative proposal to the Sejm. This project addresses the treatment of infectious diseases, including access to HIV care and the financing of HCV diagnostic examinations for inmates, while excluding the controversial language exam extensions.
