The Wall Street Journal Polska, 31.07.2008

Religa tax will not disappear as quickly as the government wants

As early as of 01 November this year Polish drivers may forget about Religa tax. This is what the Health Minister wants. In place of the tax, a new recovery system will be introduced, whereby only those who cause accidents will be held liable for treatment of accident victims.

The new law advocates individual liability. “Recovery system will make the health fund demand treatment costs to be reimbursed by the person who has caused the accident. We will get countless lawsuits. The health fund is absolutely unprepared for this”, said Piotr Kaczanowski, member of Pro Motor’s, management board. He also indicated that in Poland nobody knows exactly what medical services actually cost. Insurance companies will face problems assessing those costs, Kaczanowski, said.