Among the late vetoed by president Karol Nawrocki were this prolonged aid to Ukrainian citizens. In his project, the head of state demands, among others, that access to wellness care be made dependent on contributions. The Tusk Government is besides preparing fresh solutions. Its amendment assumes cutting off the list of benefits to be utilized by uninsured Ukrainian citizens.
How much does Ukrainian medical tourism in Poland cost us? According to data disclosed to the press by the government, in 2022 the aid Fund covered over PLN 514 million for treatment of Ukrainians. In 2023 this expenditure reached PLN 850 million and in 2024 (until September) – PLN 747 million, of which only PLN 500 1000 was infirmary treatment.
The highest cost was basic wellness care – PLN 48,5 million and specialist care – PLN 50 million. In addition, Ukrainians were financed with dental treatment for the amount of PLN 34.6 million, and reimbursement of medicines for more than PLN 21 million.
Meanwhile, another doctors confirm the existence of a phenomenon of Ukrainian medical tourism in Poland. This means that part of the east neighbour's population comes to us only to benefit from medical care at our expense and to heal here from diseases that their wellness services can't cope with, or simply does so at a worse level.
Poles have had adequate of this already, which is why social opposition to Ukrainian frauds and force on the rulers to give him a dam is increasing. The latest amendment to the Act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens, adopted just by the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers, implies limiting the catalogue of wellness benefits for uninsured Ukrainians. The changes are to enter into force in October and bring savings of PLN 30 million by March 2026. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration openly admits that the aim is, among another things, to combat the alleged "medical tourism".
– In our environment, each of us will meet with this.In an interview with “Rzeczpospolita”, Jakub Kosikowski, spokesperson for the Chief Medical Chamber. It's a coincidence. We're calling the patient, and he says he's already back in Ukraine. Or we get people with PET results from the infirmary in Ukraine – he added.
So far, Ukrainian citizens who legally arrived in Poland after 24 February 2022 had the right to free wellness benefits and refunded medicines on the same terms as Polish citizens. They had adequate of the alleged PESEL UKR or confirmation of legal residence.
Following the veto of the relief bill by president Karol Nawrocki, the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the Government of Tusk prepared its own version of the project, which includes limiting the list of benefits for people from Ukraine who do not receive wellness contributions. The changes are intended to include elective orthopaedic treatments, dental treatment and treatments as part of drug programs. In particular, border regions will be affected, where – according to the ministry – abuse is most common.
It is worth noting that changes are introduced in a situation of rapidly deteriorating financial situation of the Polish wellness service. It is apparent that backing the treatment of 2 nations by 1 strategy had to lead to its crisis. – Since last year, erstwhile even insured people – whether Poles or Ukrainians – deficiency of money to treat the strategy seems to make sense Jakub Kosikowski noted.
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