In Podkarpacie, county hospitals are grappling with significant financial difficulties, particularly illustrated by the situation in Lesko, where the local hospital has accumulated massive debts and faced protests over the potential closure of its maternity ward. Although the obstetrics department was ultimately closed due to financial losses, the overall financial state of the hospital has not improved, prompting discussions about its future viability and the restructuring of its debts.

The consolidation of county hospitals with the University Clinical Hospital in Rzeszów is proposed as a possible solution to enhance services and stabilize operations. Advocates argue that such consolidation could provide more resources and improve operational efficiency, but there are numerous obstacles to this approach, including administrative challenges and the need for support from the Polish Ministry of Health.

The participation of the University of Rzeszów is seen as beneficial not only for the larger hospital but also for smaller healthcare facilities in the region. As smaller hospitals become increasingly reliant on the resources and expertise of larger institutions, the implications of restructuring and debt management could determine the future of healthcare accessibility for the population in Podkarpacie, raising concerns about what will happen to these facilities if proactive measures are not taken.