Hartwich Criticizes the Agreement
That outcome was anticipated. Iwona Hartwich, a member of parliament, rushed to TVN24 to criticize the pact reached by Minister Marlena Maląg and Deputy Minister Paweł Wdówik with representatives of people with disabilities. Because no member of parliament from the Citizens’ Coalition joined those involved, the critique likely came from that camp.
Hartwich Criticizes the Pact
The KO MP stated that in a week the Citizens’ Coalition will present a strong bill allowing parents to earn extra money unconditionally and without criteria tied to the healthcare allowance.
“This proposal, which I have only seen in the media and online, is not a proposal I support,” she said on TVN24s Fakty po Faktach.
Hartwich warned that following the changes in the judging there will be drama. She suggested that parents would be reluctant to serve on assessment committees since the grading often shifts from significant to moderate or from moderate to mild.
“Parents do not use it,” she added.
READ MORE: There is a covenant with informal carers of people with disabilities. A new disability benefit is on the way. Will Hartwich pause the protest in the Sejm?
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“We Will Say Check”
Katarzyna Kosecka, the mother of Konrad, Nikodem and Karolina, who attended the ministry meeting, spoke with a different tone. When asked whether today’s deal was a breakthrough, she replied that she hoped it would be.
“It’s only just begun, it’s a process. We will see, I will check it out. This begins,” remarked Kosecka.
She emphasized that the issue is not just about the support service itself but about the entire package and solutions not yet known, since the personal assistance law has not been detailed until Monday. This is an important point for everyone, she stressed.
“No One Is Harmed, No One Is Excluded.”
Katarzyna Kosecka from the OzN movement also attended the press conference with Minister Maląg and Deputy Minister Wdówik. She assessed the talks with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy as moving in a very positive direction.
“All possibilities are open, we are in dialogue, no one is harmed, no one is excluded. All social groups, including caregivers, are financially secure. For outreach, which matters a lot to us, we will discuss these topics here in this building on Monday and hope that people with disabilities can live with dignity. That is our aim,” she stated.
Kosecka added that it is clear they cannot promise everything; the shared goal is to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and they feel progress is being made toward that objective.
“I Go Home Hopeful”
Bogumiła Siedlecka-Gołotka, who lives with a significant disability and relies on a caregiver daily, spoke about the day’s three hours of discussion. She said she leaves with renewed hope but also notes that real changes must follow for people with disabilities and their carers. The essential demand is for people with disabilities to have a genuine choice, not just the option that a caregiver or loved one waits on DPS after a death. They seek a dignified life, whether they have a partner, family, or live alone, with access to help, financial security, and professional and social reforms.
“Now is the first step. Will there be follow-up steps or not? We will be watching closely,” she added.
kk/PAP/TVN24
Source: wPolityce