Polish Sejm passes law limiting doctors' earnings and work hours
The Sejm approved an amendment to the public health-care financing act that caps medical staff salaries and restricts total working time.
Following a scandal involving Dawid Kacprzyk and other hospital irregularities, the Polish parliament voted on a health-care reform package announced in July by Minister of Health Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda. The amendment to the public-funded health-care services act received 229 votes in favor, 144 against and 67 abstentions. New rules cap physicians' total workload at the equivalent of two full-time posts and mandate at least a half-time contract for doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and emergency medical technicians.
Switching to another employer will require one outlet employer’s consent. Hourly pay is limited to one-twentieth of the minimum gross salary (roughly 240 zł), and monthly pay for a two-position workload cannot exceed sixteen times the minimum wage. The law also broadens the National Health Fund’s audit capabilities and grants more authority to the Agency of Medical Technology Assessment and Tariff.
Existing contracts will have a transition period, while new agreements must comply immediately; the rules take effect 30 days after publication in the Journal of Laws. The ministry pledged greater transparency for health-service tenders, to be posted on a single platform.
Why it matters
The measures aim to curb excessive earnings and overwork among medical staff, influencing health-care costs and service quality in Poland.
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