Patient Funds financial reports show budget has zl. 1 billion less thanexpected

It is unclear if the deficit is due to an error in government projections or to a default on payment of social security contributions by large companies, such as coal cooperatives and Polish State Railways (PKP). Zl. 230 million of the gap is due to a December 1998 resolution by the Council of Ministers that allows firms to postpone payment of contributions if salaries are paid at the beginning of the month. The remaining deficit is due to Patient Funds' failure to meet financial projections. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 3)