Podkarpackie officials demand healthcare funding reforms

More than 20 district governors (starostas) from the Podkarpackie region gathered in Sanok to call for urgent systemic changes to healthcare financing. Local officials highlighted severe financial difficulties facing county hospitals, including unpaid costs for medical services and rising operational expenses.

Representatives noted that local governments are forced to cover hospital deficits from their own budgets, which depletes funds available for other public tasks and investments. The officials are calling on the national government to establish a state fund to support organizational restructuring and ensure the stability of medical facilities.

In a related development in Sanok, nurses and midwives have temporarily suspended planned protests following substantive discussions with local authorities. While labor unions have not withdrawn their demands regarding wages and patient safety, they have opted to prioritize negotiations to resolve the hospital's ongoing crisis.