Think Sweden is a good example for health care? Think again
I was watching the evening news two weeks ago with my wife’s 86-year-old uncle when he suddenly began having seizures.
I’m not normally prone to panic, but this was no normal medical crisis for me. My wife’s uncle, his television and his living room all reside in
I was about to come face-to-face with Sweden’s vaunted health care system. To my surprise, it was not a pleasant experience.
I need to preface this by saying I am fluent in the Swedish language. I served a two-year mission there for
Sweden’s health care system is important to the discussion in this country, prevalent among some Democratic presidential candidates, about whether
In many ways, it’s not fair to use
But now, because of an influx in immigrants and refugees, and an aging population, the system is facing a crisis. It isn’t keeping up with demand, despite Swedes spending 11 percent of GDP on health care, the third highest amount in
Two years ago, in one northern city of 20,000 people, the government shut down the only maternity ward. Women there now have to drive 124 miles for services. The Business Times said midwives in this town are teaching couples how to give birth in cars.
The New York Times recently reported on the impact waves of refugees are having in
I wasn’t thinking of any of this as I dialed 112 (Sweden’s equivalent of 911) and spoke to a dispatcher. I was, however, concerned that the dispatcher had to ask which city I was in, then transfer me to a local number that rang three times before someone picked up. I was even more concerned when that person asked for my address, something immediately available to emergency dispatchers here.
It took 15 minutes for an ambulance to come. I later was told we were lucky. My mother-in-law had fallen and cut herself during a recent visit to the same home, and the 112 dispatcher said it would be at least an hour before someone could arrive.
Our emergency happened on a Friday night. After several hours in the emergency room, we were told my wife’s uncle would have to be admitted and kept at least until Monday. Why? Because the doctor he needed does not work weekends.
This story has a good ending. My wife’s uncle was sent home last week and was doing well. He will have multiple visits each day from nurses who will feed him, give him medicine, get him in and out of bed and make sure he is OK. All of this will cost him a pittance out-of-pocket (and everyone else there plenty in taxes). But I couldn’t help wondering how long it would be until that service is curtailed, as well.
The
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