Minister proposes raising health contributions

"The Prime Minister does yet not know about this proposal," said Religa. The Minister declared that this will not lead to a fall in wages, as the contributions will be written-off from tax. If health contributions for farmers and the unemployed, which are paid by the state would grow proportionally, the National Health Fund would have zł.60 billion, which is zł.20 billion more than currently. The question that sector analysts ask is whether this is feasible. If contributions are raised, then striking nurses would receive a 20% pay increase next year and within four years would receive the sum they are demanding. The Health Minister also presented the basket of health services which is to be guaranteed by the state. "This is not a revolution, do not expect that this will change the system," said Religa. At the same time doctors have intensified their strike boycotting the new regulation which states they have to include the PESEL number of the patient on all prescriptions. In practice this means that from today no pharmacy will accept a prescription without the number. (Rzeczpospolita, June 30-July 1, pp. A1, A3; Gazeta Wyborcza, June 30-July 1, p. 3) A.K.