I have no idea what the answer is for the US health care problems. Nor do I want to get into a debate about all that is wrong and also right with the US system or what is good or bad about social democracy in Sweden. I had good health care while I lived in the US and I have had good care while living in Sweden.
But I do have to share this: recently, I spent the night in a hospital here in Stockholm. I was there for 25 hours and had numerous tests including an MRI and a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. I signed no papers when I checked into the ER and did not show an insurance card. All I did was provide my personnummer or social security number. My care was excellent, meals were OK and Robert was even given a sandwich and tea to have with me after I was first put into a room.
My bill for all this: 80 Swedish crowns or $12 US dollars. That’s it.
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Thanks Sandy – no need to say more … WITH insurance JBs hospital stays (in the US) have never been less than $1200 for an overnight stay – even without tests, just doctor visits and maybe some bloodwork. I think I know who’s health plan I prefer 😉
Hope all turned out well with your test results …
Love reading your blog, thanks for continuing to come up with things to write about!
Hope all is well with you, Sandra! Yes, it is quite something. When Tom took out his appendix and stayed two nights he also paid something like 80 kronor. I actually don’t mind my high taxes…
Hope you are recovered.
I just had a very long, complicated birth that probably cost Sweden a lot of money, but the quality was great and it was free for me! Even with insurance, my OB care in the US always cost a fortune.
Not wondering about and waiting for mystery medical bills for months is nice.
Julia, Antropologa and Sharon:
Thanks for the all the insights – I really don’t know what the answer is, but it makes you think.
Julia: That’s a lot of money at any time, but for a long-time patient such as JB, that adds up to an insane amount of money. Wow. And thanks as well for the compliment. Hope all is well with you.
As for me, I am doing better. Thanks.
Well said. When we lived in Stockholm, this is the exact reason we had no problem paying our taxes. Because when times are tough, the health care system was brilliant.
More important, you’re feeling better!
Maria
I don’t want to get involved in a health care system debate either… but I do have my two cents to say.
Being Canadian, I am absolutely horrified at the idea of having to pay for health care, considering we all pay tremendous taxes to receive the services for free. While in Montreal hospitals are overloaded and unless you have a vital organ hanging out of your body, you will have to wait several hours to receive said service.
But it’s free. You never have to worry about signing anything, or refusing the appropriate treatment because of money. If you need a heart transplant, you will get one, free of charge – not by selling your house.
I’ve also experienced the British NHS and it was a breeze. I am not surprised to learn that Sweden’s health care is also free considering their very liberal approach, and I do think it’s the best solution. There’s already so many things to worry about in life, one doesn’t need to worry about being able to stay healthy, or alive.
Great idea for a post!
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