One of the very many things I love about Sweden is the national healthcare system. There are problems with the system itself, of course — particularly up here in the boonies where I live — but nothing could make me willingly go back to the system from which I came. Even with the problems, I am one-hundred percent behind a society that recognizes health care as a basic human right and puts its money where its mouth is, providing said care to all, regardless of anything.
Practically speaking, the system has also meant a great deal to me and my family. For instance, all of this business with my ear, from the first appointment some eighteen months ago to the surgery and overnight stay earlier this month, has cost us at most $300 (2000 SEK) out of pocket. That includes at least a half-dozen appointments (several with specialists), all prescriptions, and even travel to and from the university hospital seventy-five miles from where I live. In the States, even with top-notch insurance, we’d have paid thousands of dollars.
I was just taking exception to the term “under privileged” (sp.) I’m not sure how food, warmth, health care and education became a privilege. (I know, I know.)
We pay very little in health care costs, except the three hundred a month for insurance. :o)
Anyway, I agree, no one should want.
I think it’s only right that we have a system where we all contribute so that anyone who is ill can go to the doctor when they’re ill regardless of their personal economy. I grew up with the NHS in the UK and still remember how thrilled my parents were that they could take us to the doctor’s if we were ill. Penicillin was a miracle drug and all health care including prescriptions was free. My parents weren’t left wing – they always voted Conservative but the NHS was welcomed by all parties! I actually thought it was à deterioration compared to health care in Germany and the UK . So I’ve never been able to understand why the USA doesn’t have a similar system. I may never need to go to hospital but it’s good that my taxes go to anyone who needs it because you never know when you yourself might one day need help. It’s Christian charity as far as I’m concerned.
Our system is fine if one can afford insurance. Many can’t and that is what is broken about it.
I quite agree with you, Beverly. As you say, the system isn’t perfect but it is good to know that everyone has access to it regardless of means. We had a publicly funded universal health care scheme (Medicare) in my homeland, introduced in 1975 because so many low income earners could not afford private insurance, so I was familiar with the idea when I came to Sweden.
I’ve recently had to use it for an ongoing problem with my knee and like you, I’ve spent just 2,000kr over the last year, but have had access to specialists, MRI, CAT-scans, extensive physical therapy, a year’s gym twice a week and orthotics. I hate to think what that would have cost otherwise. Probably unaffordable for us, so I’d have to have lived with a poorer life quality and a lot of pain.
I’m glad to hear that you are on the mend.
feel the same way!!! in 2008 i had to go to salgrenska hospital in gothenburg to have a stent placed in my aorta. before that they had to perform an angioplasty. the state even paid for jim’s trip to be with me when this was done. the year prior to that i’ve had MRIs, several visits to umeå and so on and spent also very little. had i been living in manila, i could never have afforded these procedures. i happily pay my taxes because i know it goes to good use as far as my healthcare is concerned!