Only 17 percent Patients are consumed by most of the NFZ budget. We know the numbers

According to data from the National Health Fund, 17 percent patients are responsible for as much as 80 percent. total spending on treatment. Among them are, among others Children requiring expensive, often foreign operations. In 2023, the National Health Fund financed a cardiac surgery in the USA for a one -year -old child – the cost of treatment amounted to PLN 6.5 million.

It is from the obligatory health contribution that such expensive therapies are financed. Meanwhile, the Sejm voted an amendment to the act that changes the rules for calculating this contribution. The changes are to cover only entrepreneurs and introduce a new model – a flat rate to a specific level of income, and above it the premium is to be calculated percentage.

However, the amendment raises controversy. It is criticized by both opposition parties and the District Medical Chamber. Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk emphasizes that small entrepreneurs will not benefit from the new system, and the relief will mainly go to the richest. In her opinion, changes may cause that the burden of financing the health system will fall even more on full -time employees.

Meanwhile, money from the health contribution is allocated to a wide range of therapy – from treatment abroad to expensive drug programs in Poland. An example is immunotherapy, which costs from 15 to 20 thousand. PLN for one application. This type of treatment can last up to several years. In 2023, the treatment of 100 most sick patients consumed over PLN 314 million, which gives an average of over PLN 3 million per person.

Dr. Maria Libura from the Medical University of Gdańsk reminds that universal health insurance is based on the principle of social solidarity – we all pay to help those who need it the most. In her opinion, this aspect of the health care system should be talked about in public debate.