Health Care in Sweden

Medical debt is a huge problem in the U.S., affecting millions and causing two-thirds of personal bankruptcies. The majority are employed, college-educated homeowners with health insurance.

This problem doesn’t exist in Sweden.

We learned why when we queried our over-70 Öland Island birding guide. He didn’t mince words in answering and gave us a clear example. Last year doctors diagnosed his wife with pancreatic cancer. At a specialized cancer center far from their southeastern rural home, surgery removed the cancer. She spent over a week there and then another week in a hospital closer to home, and of course there has been lots of additional time in medical offices for diagnosis and follow-up. She is now cancer-free. Their cost? “Zero,” he said.

Health Centre in southern Sweden. In Lund municipality, a little larger than Tompkins County and home to a very large university, there are about 18 health centres of varying types, both public and private. 

Every resident in Sweden has access to comprehensive health care services, and it ranks high within the European Union in quality and life expectancy measures. Whether provided in a public or private facility all services are either free or capped at low levels. There is an extensive outpatient clinic system,  and no one pays more than the Swedish kronor-equivalent of $135 over any 12-month period. Prescription drugs are separate, but also subsidized and cost-limited at $275.  Hospitalization is a third category, with a maximum of $12.50 per day. People needing to be hospitalized for a long period may be eligible for further discounts.

In addition to this, anyone over the age of 85 has free healthcare, and children and young people aged below 20 don’t have to pay anything (there are special child healthcare centers). Also cost-free are  midwife centers during pregnancy, regular mammography screenings for over 40s, and cervical cancer screenings for those aged 23 and above.