"Norwegian hospitals are free though. I was just surprised the first time I learned Norwegians pay at all to visit the doctor because I assumed we had the same system."

Sauce: https://satwcomic.com/everything-is-relative

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[โ€“] 14 points 3 months ago (2 children)

As a Dane, I beg to differ. I think its essential that it's free to visit the doctor, to not deter necessary visits.

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  • [โ€“] 10 points 3 months ago

    I concur. I grew up in poverty and even though the sum isnโ€™t particularly large for me today, thinking of the economic situation I grew up in every little bit counts.

    Sure kids donโ€™t pay, but having a sick parent in poverty is not great.

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  • [โ€“] 0 points 3 months ago

    There's a line, and I don't know where it is. I'd very much rather someone go who didn't need it than the other way, but medical care is to some extent a finite resource that can be over utilized.
    Maybe the answer is to incentivise using it correctly instead of penalizing using it incorrectly. Get a check for showing up to or giving proper cancellation notice for all appointments, getting your regular checkups and stuff like that. Appropriate use of whatever we're calling non-emergency walk in clinics. (At least where I am, your doctor has a lead time before appointments, and the emergency room is more geared towards immediate specialized care. The clinics are designed for "let's give that sprained ankle a double check and pop a stich in that gouge". Routine care that shouldn't wait)

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