Trips for the eclipse at public expense? Ophthalmologists warn against "jumping at the cash" of the National Health Fund

The Polish Parliament has amended the healthcare funding law, allowing the National Health Fund (NFZ) to reimburse costs directly to individuals for treatments abroad. The Polish Ophthalmological Society warns this could increase commercial medical trips, particularly for cataract surgeries, as companies already facilitate such travel in exchange for patients transferring their reimbursement claims. While the Ministry of Health defends the changes as a formalization of existing practices, ophthalmologists argue it opens the door for commercial entities without adequate oversight, potentially turning public funds into a business model for these organizations.