Leszek Balcerowicz on health insurance premium: I am surprised that the changes were not preceded by an analysis

- Money always comes from people's pockets. Even if we call something a contribution, if it is based on state coercion, it is a tax. That is why we need to look at expenses - what can be rationalized - says Leszek Balcerowicz
We asked Professor Balcerowicz where to get money for health and how he would vote on reducing health insurance contributions.
President Andrzej Duda has vetoed the bill reducing the contribution for entrepreneurs. It will now go to the Sejm for reconsideration
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Contribution or tax? "Contribution is voluntary by definition"

- I think it is not a contribution, because a contribution is voluntary by definition - emphasizes prof. Leszek Balcerowcz . - It is a tax, the revenue from which is allocated to the so-called health service. Generally, I try to look first at the expenditure. Whether the expenditure is not unnecessary or wasteful and depending on the analysis on the expenditure side, I would make a decision on the tax side - he says.

When asked where to get money for health, Leszek Balcerowicz replies that money always comes from people's pockets .

- Even if it is called a contribution, if it is based on state coercion, it is a tax. So that is why, as I said, we have to look at the expenses, what can be rationalized there. For example, in the case of health, don't we have an excessively developed network of hospitals? And only when this analysis shows that there is no room for maneuver here, then we reach into people's pockets with regret - he points out.

When asked how he would vote on lowering the contribution for entrepreneurs, he declares that he would not participate in such a vote. "Fortunately, I don't have to," he adds.

- I would precede this with the necessary analysis and I am surprised that this was not in the public discussion - he adds.

Veto against the law reducing health insurance contributions.

Health insurance premium cut vetoed

The reduction of the health insurance contribution for entrepreneurs was passed by the Sejm on April 4 by the votes of KO, Polska 2050-TD and PSL-TD. PiS, Lewica and Razem MPs were against the reduction of the contribution. Konfederacja abstained from voting.

Politicians from the ruling coalition argued that they wanted to relieve the burden on business owners whose contributions were increased by the previous government as part of the Polish Deal.

The solution was also supported by the Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna (KO), even though she had previously told journalists that no health minister could accept a reduction in health insurance contributions.

After the president's decision, the bill will return to the Sejm, where a three-fifths majority is needed to overturn the veto. It is unlikely to be gathered with the current balance of power in parliament.