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Sparks fly in coalition over health insurance premium. Paulina Hennig-Kloska comments
The Left should refrain from undermining the current agreements and acting like a fifth column, stated Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska on Friday, in response to comments made by Left politicians regarding the reduction of health insurance contributions.
On Thursday, the committees for public finance and health in parliament reviewed a draft amendment to the health insurance contribution act, which proposes a two-tier structure for calculating health insurance contributions for entrepreneurs—up to a certain income threshold, a flat-rate contribution will apply, while any income exceeding that threshold will be subject to a percentage calculation. However, this proposal was not part of the voting agenda in the Sejm on Thursday.
Members of the Left have expressed disapproval of the proposal. The leader of the Left’s parliamentary club, Anna Maria Żukowska, remarked that it is a measure that „withdraws funds from healthcare, rather than contributing to it.” She asserted that the Left will not support the proposal.
Hennig-Kloska: the situation demands clarification
On Friday, during an appearance on Radio Zet, the climate minister remarked that „the Left cannot act in a manner that disrupts agreements and consensus.” – (The Left – ed.) is acting like a fifth column within the government – she stated.
In her view, the situation „clearly requires clarification.” – This is not a rebellion against the contribution, nor against Poland 2050; it is a rebellion against the proposal that was unanimously approved by the government – Hennig-Kloska emphasized. She pointed out that the Left „did not provide any feedback on this proposal at the government level, nor did anyone present a dissenting opinion.”
– I recall multiple statements from Left politicians who, during the introduction of the Polish Deal and modifications to the health insurance premium, declared it to be „unworthy,” „damaging to small businesses,” and advocated for changes in the opposite direction. Consistency and credibility are essential – stated the minister.
She believes that the proposal should be advanced prior to the presidential elections in May. – There is no reason to delay. The proposal is included in the state budget, which was a consensus reached at the coalition level – she stressed.
Paulina Hennig-Kloska Rafał Guz/PAPChanges in health insurance contributions
As per the Ministry of Finance, around 2.45 million entrepreneurs will gain from the reform; taxpayers with the highest earnings who settle their taxes on a lump-sum basis will face higher contributions than they currently do.
The government proposal stipulates that the flat-rate portion of the contribution will be set at 9% of 75% of the minimum wage. The second component will be determined based on income exceeding 1.5 times the average monthly wage for entrepreneurs who calculate tax under a tax scale or a flat tax (with a rate of 4.9%).
For entrepreneurs using a flat-rate tax, the second part of the contribution will be calculated on earnings exceeding 3 times the average monthly salary (set at a rate of 3.5%). The bill also proposes lowering the contribution to 9% of 75% of the minimum salary (currently set at 9% of the minimum salary) for entrepreneurs taxed through a tax card. Additionally, the government bill eliminates the option of offsetting paid health insurance contributions against income tax.
The chair of the extraordinary subcommittee addressing the draft legislation aimed at reducing health insurance contributions for entrepreneurs, Krystyna Skowrońska (KO), recently clarified that the contribution rate for full-time employees will remain unchanged at 9 percent; there are also no alterations regarding retirement benefits—they will still be set at 9 percent.
