4 ms·

I've lived in Scandinavia, with largely similar systems (they vary a bit, I've seen Sweden and a bit of Finland). The health care systems are centrally planned

by berntb 13y ago

I've lived in Scandinavia, with largely similar systems (they vary a bit, I've seen Sweden and a bit of Finland). The health care systems are centrally planned and administered, and hence have the typical problems doing the work in an efficient manner. For instance, it is acknowledged in international comparisons as really hard to get diagnosed because doctors just don't have the time, largely because of administration. Me and others I know have had years and decades of lowered life quality from easily cured problems like bacteria infections, simple knee problems, allergies and iron/vitamin deficiencies. I've heard good things about the German health care system. Notes: I have also lived a few years outside of the Nordic countries, so I have some perspective. And I agree that the US system seems the craziest one on the Western world. Edit: The government has recently decided that all illegal immigrants in Sweden will get free health care, without any paperwork. If you need an expensive and can fake an Ukrainian accent in English, or something similar, there is a cheap solution for millions of Americans with a ticket to Sweden...

moocowduckquack 13y ago
"The government has recently decided that all illegal immigrants in Sweden will get free health care, without any paperwork." If the vast majority of people treated are not subject to itemised accounting, the bureaucratic expense of having itemised accounting for one small group can actually be higher than just treating them for free as well.
- berntb 13y ago
  Not for expensive operations costing 10K++ €. The administration of those payments is already set up for e.g. tourists that get sick. Since it seems I need to explain in more details: The problem is that potentially anyone which can get to Sweden can get expensive treatment free. This is potentially ruinous for a small country. Just the millions of poor gypsies in Romania/Bulgaria which lack good health care for poor people ("I'm from the republic of Moldova outside the EU. I am here illegally because criminals are after me") is enough to break the Swedish health care system if they use this loophole in an organized way. Or normal citizens in those countries, for that matter. We will see...

by berntb 13y ago

moocowduckquack 13y ago

"The government has recently decided that all illegal immigrants in Sweden will get free health care, without any paperwork." If the vast majority of people treated are not subject to itemised accounting, the bureaucratic expense of having itemised accounting for one small group can actually be higher than just treating them for free as well.

berntb 13y ago
Not for expensive operations costing 10K++ €. The administration of those payments is already set up for e.g. tourists that get sick. Since it seems I need to explain in more details: The problem is that potentially anyone which can get to Sweden can get expensive treatment free. This is potentially ruinous for a small country. Just the millions of poor gypsies in Romania/Bulgaria which lack good health care for poor people ("I'm from the republic of Moldova outside the EU. I am here illegally because criminals are after me") is enough to break the Swedish health care system if they use this loophole in an organized way. Or normal citizens in those countries, for that matter. We will see...