Healthcare reform, plan B

The vetoed legislation includes the controversial bill on obligatory commercialization of healthcare units.

"Human health - a sick person - that's not merchandise and cannot be turned into merchandise," Kaczyński told the media. "I appreciate the benefits of an economy based on competition, I appreciate the benefits of the market - but that's in the economy, and not in such a sensitive sphere as healthcare," he added.

The Civic Platform-led government wants to overturn the presidential veto, but the chances it will succeed are slim because the ruling coalition is too small to get the two-thirds Sejm majority needed. The opposition Law and Justice and Democratic Left Alliance parties oppose the plan to force hospitals to incorporate.

Meanwhile, the government presented a draft of an alternative plan for healthcare reform last Thursday, called "We're saving Polish hospitals," which would enable the restructuring of hospitals through local governments. The plan also includes the possibility of reducing the overdue debts of some hospitals.

The details and the time-frame of the plan will be presented after the vote to overturn the presidential veto, the Health Ministry said in a statement.