Allan´s Weblog

I understand that there's much talking in the USA about a health care reform.

There have been mentions of this on the weblogs of several regular readers of Allan's Weblog, since there are quite a few regulars from United States. I have tried to leave my comments as I could best - but have had severe difficulties doing so, since a straight comparison between the US and the Scandinavian (European?) system seems almost impossible. The differences are so manifest that it always seemed to be hard for me to make the point I really wanted to.

You see, I really think that our system has something to offer. Where I live, everybody has adopted different ways of doing things from USA. Particularly concerning cultural issues. I honestly think that the US could learn from us in health care matters.

Now, here follows a clip from CNN, which explains some essential differences (those differences I couldn't explain) between the two systems.

My wife and I are daily users of Danish health care, so I know a lot about this seen from the inside. From the user's point of view.



If you have questions, US citizen or not, don't hesitate to ask. I am here to answer your questions.

Moving through the crowd downtown on a Saturday is like swimming through heavy water. But errands must be done, things must be bought, air must be breathed and insults must be taken.
Then, on Central Station, allowing myself a break, I see the children running around the small play train that one can start by inserting a coin in a slot. Pastime for kids and donation for worthy causes for adults that is.
I see the sparkle in their eyes, I hear laughter in their voices and see the busy parents giving themselves a break just as I am. Then, flashback, my own time as a small child. I suddenly remember. The train was in Central Station then also - and suddenly I understand that my perception has changed. Back then it was magic. Coin-in-slot and everything would change like a magic spell - from normal light to night light and lit windows in surrounding toy-buildings and lamppost. And the trains running on different tracks, steam engines and diesel-electric alike, moving round and about. The child absorbing the whole scene in magical light and sounds, creating a new reality unknown to any adult - including those who made this play-train exhibition.
For the child I was then, these trains seemed like the real world. The world was for an all-too-short period equal with this dark purple light and the night trains running in this magic toy-world that only we kids knew.

And here I stand - so far, far away from all that. Stuff I haven't been thinking of for decades suddenly fills my mind. Voices, scents, sounds, magic. Oh, magic.
Then, clonk! The magic disappears. No more magic for that sorry, little coin. I remember the loss of magic from back then in this situation. I see the slight disappointment in the childrens' faces. Their reluctant acceptance, as you must have as a child confronted with the adult-made world.

I reach for my purse, smiling at the children enjoying their expressions as they watch me and understand what is coming. I insert the coin in the appropriate slot, hear the machinery start and immensely enjoy seeing magic returning in the midst of these children.

"Thank you, mister!" I get my reward. And a photo on top of it.