Health insurance contribution. Deputy Minister of Health Wojciech Konieczny on changes

Necessary: Healthcare is necessary for everyone

– Lowering the health insurance premium for entrepreneurs will negatively impact the already underfunded healthcare system – asserted Deputy Minister of Health Wojciech Konieczny during the „Bez kitu” program on TVN24. He also discussed the Left’s proposition to implement a health tax.

In the discussion, Wojciech Konieczny referenced statements made by the Minister of Climate, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, who mentioned on Radio Zet that „the Left should not act in a manner that breaches agreements and consensuses”. – This is not a revolt against the contribution, nor against Poland 2050, but rather a revolt against a project that was unanimously passed by the government – the minister stressed.

Read more: Tensions rise within the coalition. „Revolt against a project that was unanimously approved by the government” >>>

Adjustments to health insurance premiums. Necessary: they will affect the underfunded system

Konieczny stated that the Left will not endorse measures that are „anti-social and contrary to the needs of individuals requiring assistance from an underfunded healthcare system.”

When I highlighted that this was one of the commitments made, he acknowledged it.

– However, this has not been sufficiently agreed upon with the Left to claim that it was documented in the coalition agreement, specifying a month in a specific year, that we would permit the already underfunded National Health Fund to become even more inadequately funded. This will not be our contribution to the coalition – he stated.

The deputy minister was asked if the Left was concerned that this measure could further strain the already underfunded healthcare system. – Well, it can’t, it will – he responded.

– I recognize that this signifies a return to the situation prior to the Polish Deal. If we attempted to implement it fully, then perhaps we could discuss it. Nonetheless, we must assert this: once Law and Justice decided that the 13 billion zlotys, which was a subsidy to the National Health Fund, would no longer be considered a subsidy. Now, the National Health Fund must procure these funds. Law and Justice had determined that specific pay increases for healthcare professionals would occur annually, and the National Health Fund subsequently assumed this obligation – he explained.

Reducing health insurance premiums not applicable to everyone

He noted that the decrease in the contribution will not affect all earners. – We are reducing the health insurance contribution not for full-time employees, nor for individuals who consistently pay nine percent, as it must be emphasized that full-time employees contribute nine percent of their entire earnings. When they transition to a higher tax bracket, they effectively pay over 40 percent in taxes in Poland – he clarified.

– We have a significant group here, I understand that a promise was made to them, but one cannot guarantee something while simultaneously undermining the Polish healthcare system – he remarked.

Necessary: Health Tax as the Left’s Proposal

He also discussed the Left’s initiative to implement a health tax. – We have proposed a very good solution: a health tax, and the elimination of the health contribution. We contend that this is unjust, inequitable, and not income-based as it should be. Furthermore, we accept the argument that (it is unfair – ed.) if entrepreneurs lack income but are still required to pay the health contribution. If it were a tax, they wouldn’t pay it when they have no income, and thus wouldn’t contribute either. This is the Left’s solution, which I believe is quite beneficial for entrepreneurs – he elaborated.

– It’s not that we’re saying: you owe money, even though you don’t have any income, and you need to pay, I don’t know, four or three thousand, or two and a half thousand. No, it’s based on income, on the fact that they earned substantial wages, their businesses are thriving, and thus, the contribution is indeed that amount. If you’re a full-time employee, that’s your obligation. If you’re an entrepreneur, that’s your obligation. In our view, there’s no distinction here. Especially since healthcare is essential for everyone – he emphasized.

Changes to health insurance premiums

According to the Ministry of Finance , roughly 2.45 million entrepreneurs will benefit from the reform; higher contributions than currently would be required from taxpayers with the highest revenues, who settle their taxes based on lump sum earnings.

The government’s proposal suggests that the flat-rate portion of the contribution will be 9% of 75% of the minimum wage. The second portion will be calculated on income exceeding 1.5 times the average monthly wage for entrepreneurs who settle taxes on a tax scale or a flat tax (which is set at 4.9%).

For entrepreneurs paying a flat-rate tax, the second part of the contribution will be determined based on revenues that exceed three times the average monthly salary (with a rate of 3.5%). The legislation also proposes reducing the contribution to 9% from 75% of the minimum salary (currently 9% of the minimum salary) for entrepreneurs taxed via a tax card. The government bill eliminates the option of accounting for paid health insurance contributions in income tax.

Krystyna

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