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Polish left-wing candidates urge president to veto health contribution cut

14.04.2025 13:33
Magdalena Biejat, Deputy Marshal of the Senate and left-wing presidential candidate, is set to urge President Andrzej Duda to veto a bill that would reduce healthcare contributions for business owners. Earlier, Adrian Zandberg, leader of the left-wing Razem party and fellow presidential contender, visited the Presidential Palace to discuss the same issue.
On the left: Deputy Senate Marshal Magdalena Biejat, a left-wing candidate, at a joint convention with Young Left. On the right: Adrian Zandberg, co-leader of the left-wing Razem party and its presidential candidate, during a campaign event in Warsaw, April 12, 2025.
On the left: Deputy Senate Marshal Magdalena Biejat, a left-wing candidate, at a joint convention with Young Left. On the right: Adrian Zandberg, co-leader of the left-wing Razem party and its presidential candidate, during a campaign event in Warsaw, April 12, 2025.Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz

At Monday's meeting at the Presidential Palace, Magdalena Biejat was accompanied by representatives from medical and patient organizations.

Poland spends significantly less on healthcare than most EU countries - around 5% of its GDP, compared to the EU average of 10%.

At the start of April, with votes from the centrist KO, Polska 2050, and PSL parties, the Polish parliament passed a bill to reduce healthcare contributions for entrepreneurs.

If enacted, the change would slash funding for the National Health Fund (NFZ) by more than 4.5 billion złoty (over $1 billion).

The Finance Ministry insists the national budget will cover the shortfall, but Biejat argues it will create another dangerous gap in the healthcare system, with the richest benefiting most from the changes, while the poorest citizens will bear the brunt.

Zandberg echoed this concern, calling the bill "so harmful that not even Senate amendments can fix it." He warned of an impending crisis and the partial privatization of public healthcare, urging the president to veto what he described as a reckless policy.

"People will lose their health and lives because of this. This madness must be stopped!" he said via social media.

President Duda’s office has not yet disclosed his stance. His spokesperson noted the bill is still under Senate review.

(m p)

Source: IAR/PAP/X/@MagdaBiejat/@ZandbergRAZEM