Pandemics was a stress test which highlighted the structural problems of healthcare systems. It drew attention among other issues whether we finance the health care system in an appropriate manner - stressed prof. Vincenzo Atella from the Farmafactoring Foundation, presenting in Karpacz for the first time the „Healthcare report”, which served as a starting point for the discussion on the source of financing of health care. Prof. Atella pointed out that there is no perfect health care system in the world that could be replicated in other countries. The health care systems all over the world are the result of long-term processes influenced by social-cultural factors and cannot be quickly changed by regulations.
The expert indicated that the discussions on financing the health care focus on the level of its financing, which is a political decision. The technical but very important issue of allocation of funds is often overlooked. Meanwhile, with the same level of financing the different allocation of funds can provide completely different health outcomes.
The allocation of funds is even more important in Poland as even with the planned increased expenditures on health care we are still far from OECD average, which is expected to reach 12% of GDP by 2030. As the Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski indicated the three pillars of change in the health care system should result in the improvement of the financing model.
No waste
Firstly, expenditures will increase – according to the assumptions of the Polish Deal the public spending on health care will reach 7% of GDP in 2027. The system of financing these expenditures should be diversified as much as possible. It should be based on contributions paid in solidarity and in the spirit of fair play, as proposed in the Polish Deal. The health-promotion levies such as a sugar levy should be one of the financing sources, which in minister Niedzielski’s opinion had a fantastic effect by reducing the consumption of sweetened beverages by approx. 30%.
The measurement of the system implemented in the draft act on quality in health care expected to contribute to control and rationalisation of expenditures is the third pillar. – We cannot afford waste in health care – stressed the minister.
