“A substantive and constructive approach is necessary in the discussion of how to regulate the rules for determining and calculating the health premium in the future,” stressed Prof. Gertruda Uścińska, rector of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School, in an interview with wpolsce.pl TV.
Prof. Uścińska pointed out the key issues concerning changes in the calculation of health insurance premiums. She stressed that the rules should be simple, transparent and understandable to citizens, especially those who are obliged to pay them.
The government has announced fiscal consolidation later this year, with the aim of preventing the public debt from exceeding. High public debt affects citizens’ lives, leading to tax hikes and an increase in the cost of living through inflation. Four drafts of changes to the rules for calculating the health premium are in the pipeline. Prof. Uścińska underlined the need to look at both the near and distant future.
The SGMK rector cited data from the Central Statistical Office, which shows that in 2023, PLN 241.6 billion, or 7.1% of GDP, will be spent on health care in Poland, an increase of PLN 45.4 billion over the previous year. She pointed out that last year, the Social Insurance Institution transferred PLN 137.6 billion to the National Health Fund from health premiums collected from employees, entrepreneurs and contractors. “This receipts’ structure must be taken into account,” Prof. Uścińska pointed out. According to the Rector of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School, it is reasonable to think about how to simplify these regulations while achieving the intended goals.
In her opinion, the announcements of reforming the pension system are worrying. It is important to regulate “penny pensions”. Additional benefits for pensioners – the 13th and 14th Pensions – are special non-contributory benefits, the payment of which should be secured by economic policy, the labor market and taxes collected. They are guaranteed by law.
We invite you to listen to the entire interview with Prof. Uścińska, Rector of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School.
