Poland readies health reform amid South Hospital scandal

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government is preparing a health‑care reform package after the controversy surrounding the South Hospital scandal and the revelation of unusually high earnings for some doctors. Minister of Health Jolanta Sobierańska‑Grenda held a press conference but offered no concrete measures; insiders say a draft bill is awaiting the premier’s sign‑off and could be presented to the cabinet within days.

The proposed reforms include a PESEL‑based salary verification system to curb multiple contracts, limits on top‑earning medical staff, and a funding plan that could cost between 3.3 billion and 9 billion zlotys annually. The medical chamber, led by Łukasz Jankowski, has vowed to block the legislation and may challenge it in European courts if it is enacted. The government is also considering adjustments to the existing pay‑rise law and the timing of salary increases for health‑sector employees.