23.01.2024
November 2023 marks a milestone in the history of fertility medicine in Poland. The funding for in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the Polish population was resumed last year by Polish President Andrzej Duda. This involves an annual subsidy of 500 million zloty (€115 million).
The decision to discontinue the funding by the national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party in 2015 was attributed to a lack of funds for financing, although it is rumored that their close relationship with the Church had a significant influence.
The Church's stance on artificial fertilization in Poland was again made evident by a statement from the Archbishop, who wrote to President Duda: "I kindly request that you refuse to sign the Act of November 29, 2023, amending the Act on health care services financed from public funds and refer it to the Sejm for reconsideration or refer it to the Constitutional Court.”*
Despite being aware of the partially existing controversy surrounding reproductive medicine in his country, the Polish President signed the funding law and announced that he was working on further legislative proposals for subsidies for additional methods of artificial fertilization. Moreover, the parliament rejected a legislative amendment proposal by PiS, which would have limited funding for artificial fertilization to married couples only.
The focus on reproductive medicine is driven by demographic concerns. Poland's steadily declining birth rate became even more apparent last year, with 11% fewer births than the previous year. Statistics show that Poland's birth rate has been in dramatic decline since 2018, making it one of the lowest in Europe.
The desire for more support for artificial fertilization is also evident among the Polish population. After the PiS discontinued the funding in 2015, individual cities continued to enable financing through municipal subsidies. Additionally, in 2022, a civic initiative (legislation that can be presented to the parliament by external groups) with over 100,000 signatures was carried out to restore national financing of IVF, supported by opposition groups. This civic initiative by the Polish population was also decisive in resuming funding for artificial fertilization in Poland, contributing significantly to this major milestone in the future of Poland's reproductive medicine.
Sources:
*Church in Poland (2023). The President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference asks the President of the Republic of Poland not to sign the November 29 law. URL: https://episkopat.pl/the-president-of-the-polish-bishops-conference-asks-the-president-of-the-republic-of-poland-not-to-sign-the-november-29-law/, 23.01.2024, 08:16 AM.
Tilles, Daniel (2023). Polish president signs law on funding IVF despite appeal from church. URL: https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/12/16/polish-president-signs-law-on-funding-ivf-despite-appeal-from-church/, 23.01.2024, 08:22 AM.
Tilles, Daniel (2023). Polish parliament votes to restore IVF funding, overturning policy of outgoing government. https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/11/29/polish-parliament-votes-to-restore-ivf-funding-overturning-policy-of-outgoing-government/, 23.01.2024, 08:28 AM.
