Starting in 2026, entrepreneurs in Poland will pay lower health insurance contributions – a provision introduced in a new bill passed by the Sejm. The measure has drawn sharp criticism not only from the opposition but also from the Left, a party that is part of the governing coalition formed on December 13. Guests on the talk show “Miłosz Kłeczek Zaprasza”didn’t hold back their outrage either.
Another Step Toward Healthcare Privatization
The bill reducing health contributions for entrepreneurs was supported on Friday by MPs from the Civic Coalition (KO), including Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna – despite her earlier claims that she would vote against it – as well as lawmakers from Poland 2050 and the Polish People’s Party (PSL). Those voting against it included MPs from Law and Justice (PiS), the Left, and the Razem circle. The far-right Confederation abstained.
PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński argued that “in a time of financial crisis,” cutting health contributions “makes no sense and will only deepen the crisis.” He announced that PiS senators would introduce an amendment to the bill passed by the Sejm, aimed at ensuring “adequate funding for healthcare services.”
Speaking on Miłosz Kłeczek’s program, PiS MP Piotr Kaleta explained that while PiS supports reducing taxes and contributions—as demonstrated during its time in power—it does not support weakening Poland’s public healthcare system.
“We are not in favor of strangling Poland’s healthcare system. If we already know that there is an 8-billion-zloty shortfall in the NFZ (National Health Fund) budget, and now we’re adding another 16-billion-zloty gap – that’s a disaster. Today’s government wants the wealthiest and biggest entrepreneurs to pay much lower health contributions,”
Kaleta said.
“Funds are being taken from the NFZ only to be redirected elsewhere in ways that are inefficient. PiS has never opposed private healthcare, but we will not allow public healthcare to be privatized. That’s exactly the direction this is heading in. Just like we heard in the infamous Sowa tapes, where a then-health minister said hospitals in Poland should be shut down to cut costs,”
he emphasized.
Also appearing on the show was Szymon Kacprzak from Razem.