The Sejm passed the legislation that will raise the social pension to the amount equal to the minimum permanent disability to work pension as well as a bill introducing special access rights to health care, pharmaceutical services and medical products for people with severe disabilities.
The first bill was voted for by 437 MPs, only non-partisan MP Jacek Wilk was against and there were no abstentions. In case of the second one, 424 MPs supported the legislation, one was against and twelve abstained.
Higher pension
According to the bill, the social pension will increase from 865.03 to 1029.80 zloty. The new regulation will come into force from 1 September 2018 and in effect from 1 June.
The legislation proposed by the ministry of family and social issues is a response to the demands made by the protesting disabled people and their caretakers. Similar project was proposed by Kukiz ’15 MPs. Both projects were discussed.
Social pension can be claimed for by adults unable to work due to permanent disability that have occurred before reaching 18 years of age during education, before reaching 25 years of age during higher education, doctoral or post-graduate studies.
Easier access to health care
The second bill, among other things, abolishes the usage period of certain medical equipment, for instance, wheelchairs. People with certified severe disabilities will be given priority to use medical services. Moreover, they won’t have to wait in queues in pharmacies. Finally, this group of people with disabilities will be able to use specialized treatment without a referral.
The legislation also cancels the limits for the National Heath Fund (NHF) in financing the medical rehabilitation services dedicated to people with severe disabilities. For this purpose, a regulation has been proposed that is similar to the law cancelling the limits for financing oncological services that allows changing the contracts signed between the NHF and medical units. The project has been submitted in the Sejm by Law and Justice MPs. The law is to enter into force on 1 July.
Autor: gf / Źródło: tvn24,PAP