Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
February 9, 2010
Mother in the red after costly childbirth
Published: 5 Aug 09 12:17 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21118/20090805/
Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
A woman who received a bill for almost 65,000 kronor ($9,000) after giving birth at Uppsala University Hospital has petitioned the Swedish government to erase her debt.
- Doctor charged over baby's death (1 Feb 10)
- Fifth of Swedish population foreign (29 Jan 10)
- Many foreign-born in Sweden lack work: study (26 Jan 10)
Unable to pay the bill, she saw the unpaid bill referred to the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden). In a letter to the Swedish government viewed by The Local, she has called for assistance in alleviating the debt. As a recipient of social welfare payments, she says she is not in a position to cover the cost.
“I was obviously forced to give birth. I didn't spent 63,936 on luxury items,” she wrote in her plea.
“In a country like Sweden, with its exceptional democratic principles and human rights, I don't understand how you don't in the first place help people in difficult situations in your own country,” she continued.
The Local has been unable to reach the woman for comment.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Facebook
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers
Three men have been arrested in Afghanistan on suspicion of being connected to the the death of Swedish soldiers Johan Palmlöv and Gunnar Andersson near Mazar-e Sharif on Sunday. READ (9 COMMENTS) »
Parental 'child sick leave' peaks in February
Each February, Swedish parents take an estimated 600,000 paid leave days to take care of sick children, according to new Social Insurance Agency statistics. READ »
'Only good foreign soldier on Afghan soil is a dead one': Myrdal
Swedish author and anti-war activist Jan Myrdal has sparked outrage following a public lecture in which he appeared to welcome the killing of Swedish, US and other soldiers. READ »
Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations
The number of asylum seekers deported from Sweden rose by 1,300 during 2009, according to new figures from the Swedish Migration Agency. READ »
Dental service probed as girl dies after toothache
The Swedish Welfare Board is set to investigate the Swedish Public Dental Service after a nine-year-old girl died following repeated visits to the dentist complaining of toothache and an abscess. READ »
Ingrid, 79, declared dead by Swedish tax authorities
79-year-old Ingrid Ståhl of Malmö in southern Sweden found out to her surprise that she had been registered as dead after a mistake by the Swedish Tax Agency. READ (8 COMMENTS) »
Söderling claims comeback win
Swedish tennis star Robin Söderling showed no signs of the elbow complaint which knocked him out of the Australian Open, firing 26 aces to earn a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Frenchman Florent Serra on Monday in the Rotterdam Open. READ »
Man shot on Stockholm street
A 29-year-old man was shot on Södermalm in Stockholm on Monday night. He was hit in the leg and in the shoulder, but was able to call an ambulance. No one has been arrested as the man refuses to talk to the police. READ (1 COMMENT) »
More National
- 09/02 Parental 'child sick leave' peaks in February »
- 09/02 Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations »
- 09/02 Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers (9 comments) »
- 09/02 Ingrid, 79, declared dead by Swedish tax authorities (8 comments) »
- 09/02 Man shot on Stockholm street (1 comment) »
- 08/02 Asylum seeker held 18 months on remand (14 comments) »
- 08/02 Swedish soldiers killed by 'Afghan police' (13 comments) »
- 08/02 Six injured in Stockholm fire (3 comments) »
- 08/02 Two year wait for Stockholm flat: report (49 comments) »
- 07/02 Two Swedes killed in Afghanistan (32 comments) »
Blog Update: Boston Blatte
"No one is surprised to hear that safety is important to Swedes. After all, the first 3-point seat belt was first put into production for cars in the Volvo PV444 in 1959. But there are moments when I think that the devotion to safety extends beyond the fair margin to allow for Darwin Award nominees...." READ »
- 09/2 14:19 Stockholm Fashion Week. Part Två. (Style in Sweden)
- 08/2 14:00 Day 10 – Healthy Debate (Swedetalker)
- 05/2 16:37 Stockholm garbage collectors – an overpaid relic of a bygone age? (On Swedish Business)
Poll
Are you interested in subletting your apartment in Sweden within the next two years?
Highlights
Latest news from The Local in Germany
- 09/02 Löw backs down in contract dispute »
- 09/02 Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy »
- 09/02 Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants »
- 09/02 Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim »
- 09/02 Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional »
Blog
- 5 questions for Diana Orving
Diana Orving’s line consists of organic yet edgy fashion. The garments are delicate and luxurious. Both structured and deconstructed elements coexist in many of her pieces and produce a surprising... - 5 questions for The Local Firm
The Local Firm is a young independent label created by Richard Hutchinson and Axel Nyhage that is based in Stockholm. The label has a reputation for a refreshing viewpoint on fashion. Drawing... - 5 questions for Kerstin Ekman
Swedish author Kerstin Ekman started writing detective novels, then moved on to more psychological and social themes. In September 2009 she released her latest novel Mordets praktik. Sweden.se asked... - The Swedish Model in practice
The term “Swedish Model” is used to describe the fact that the Swedish society is based on a high degree of public financing. Let’s find out what this means in practice by following a regular...
Essentials
Jobs - in Sweden, in English
Get your career on track with our job listings from Sweden's top employers.
Property - renting or buying in Sweden
Navigating the minefield of renting or buying an apartment or house in Sweden.
Weather
"There is no bad weather, just bad clothes," say the Swedes. Here's the forecast for everyone else.
Introducing...
Every week The Local serves up a spicy helping of Swedish celebrity for your delectation.
Stockholm Syndrome
Tales of crazy Swedish classes, hamfisted attempts to understand - and explain - real Swedes, and varied experiences of fellow foreigners gathered for your amusement.
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Jobs in Sweden, in English
124 jobs in Sweden, in English
53 new jobs this week
20 new jobs today
- Real Estate Professional
- Sales Engineer as Regional Manager for Region South Sweden
- Software Engineer, Landskrona
- FP&A PROFESSIONAL
- SMG - Corporate Sports Sales Executives
- FINANCIAL ANALYST (M/F)
- FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY CONSULTANT
- FINANCE MANAGER / CONTROLLER
- Danish speaking – Credit & Collection
- NORWAY ACCOUNTING LEAD
Noticeboard
- 08/02 Buy/sell used English books: Feb 20
- 08/02 Driving License book(in English) for Sale
- 08/02 Land plot 3000sqm with ruin FOR SALE Bulgaria!
- 08/02 HP Laptop (Win 7) & Computer cum Reading Table
- 08/02 Moving overseas Mar 26--even MORE STUFF for sale
- 07/02 For Sale by Owner: 3000 sqm Land / Ruin Bulgaria Varna
Discuss
- 23:29 Sweden and LPG cars
- 23:15 Getting a dog in Sweden
- 22:17 Emigrating a Swede: Q & A
- 22:03 New father to be
- 21:55 Moving out of Stockholm
- 21:41 How shallow and insecure are Swedes?
- 21:19 Help to find doctor
- 21:16 None is talking about Influenza
- 20:35 Teaching English In Sweden
- 20:14 British TV in Sweden
Expatriate in Stockholm?
We offer services for foreigners who've recently moved or are planning to move to Stockholm. Corresponding with local authorities, organizing your home, seeking childcare and domestic help, plus more.
MORE INFO
We offer services for foreigners who've recently moved or are planning to move to Stockholm. Corresponding with local authorities, organizing your home, seeking childcare and domestic help, plus more.
MORE INFO
Counseling in English Individuals & Couples - Stockholm
Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Visiting Stockholm?
Then you'll find The Local's new Stockholm Section useful. Find pics, guides, news and lots of useful information about Stockholm.
www.thelocal.se/stockholm
Then you'll find The Local's new Stockholm Section useful. Find pics, guides, news and lots of useful information about Stockholm.
www.thelocal.se/stockholm
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Welcome to Adlon Hotel in Stockholm
A perfect location both for business and pleasure. Centrally located, with atmosphere.
www.adlon.se
A perfect location both for business and pleasure. Centrally located, with atmosphere.
www.adlon.se
Winter archipelago tours
Visit Stockholm's beautiful archipelago. Great boat tours for all preferences.
MORE INFORMATION
Visit Stockholm's beautiful archipelago. Great boat tours for all preferences.
MORE INFORMATION
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English
David Schultz PsyD
Individuals & couples
In Stockholm in person or by phone or video conferencing
www.anxiousorblue.se
Therapy in English
David Schultz PsyD
Individuals & couples
In Stockholm in person or by phone or video conferencing
www.anxiousorblue.se
Play football in Stockholm
Kick-off the new football season with LFC, Stockholm's premier English-speaking football club.
MORE INFO
Kick-off the new football season with LFC, Stockholm's premier English-speaking football club.
MORE INFO
JOB: Trainee Sales Executives
Midfield Media, a leading provider of events and executive forums, is seeking Trainee Sales Executives
FULL JOB DETAILS
Midfield Media, a leading provider of events and executive forums, is seeking Trainee Sales Executives
FULL JOB DETAILS
Enjoy a beautiful winter weekend in Västervik
Treat yourself with a calm and relaxing weekend in beautiful archipelago surroundings
MORE INFORMATION
Treat yourself with a calm and relaxing weekend in beautiful archipelago surroundings
MORE INFORMATION
JOB: Copy editor and English speaking project manager/editor
Tidningskompaniet, one of Sweden's leading agencies for custom publishing, seeks two new employees in Stockholm and Göteborg
FULL JOB DETAILS
Tidningskompaniet, one of Sweden's leading agencies for custom publishing, seeks two new employees in Stockholm and Göteborg
FULL JOB DETAILS
Folk High Schools in Sweden
The Swedish Folk High Schools have courses that give you the possibility to bring out all your colors!
www.folkhogskola.nu
The Swedish Folk High Schools have courses that give you the possibility to bring out all your colors!
www.folkhogskola.nu
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
Wow, she just got there and she is already taking advantage of the system.
Only those in who are registered with Försäkringskassan are entitled to subsidised healthcare. Many types of permit require you to have you own health insurance.
Maybe the story is different then I don't judge based on above criteria.
He is English, and was living over here and after a couple years he discovered he had problems with his kidney and was in and out of hospital hooked up on the old morphine (never any surgery) eventually he got multiple bills to pay which he couldn't as he was uber skint and had no job (living off friends) there had been some sort of issues with his E1 11 I think, and the bills just kept coming to the point where I believe he had to declare him self bankrupt.
My point is that regardless of the who is right and wrong I did get to see the ferocity of the medical debt agencies which I must say was very harsh and I wouldn't want to find myself in that situation.
For a non-Swedish non EU citizen:
-who want to live in Sweden for one day to one year, they have to acquire an international insurance valid in Sweden for the whole period they spend in Sweden.
-who want to live in Sweden more than a year, they are under Swedish insurance coverage as Swedish citizens are. They need to register their names in skatteverket and apply for a personummer.
For a non-Swedish EU citizen:
They just need to claim in skatteverket that they want to live in Sweden more than a year, then they will be granted a personummer and health insurance coverage right away.
In either cases there is no problem so I don't know what has happened to this woman.
So, as far as the legal aspect goes she is still in the country illegally. Hospitals will not refuse treatment but if you're not a part of the system you have to pay hospital bills yourself.
If this law was not in place it would mean anyone who makes it illegally into Sweden would be able to get free healthcare at the expense of taxpayers money.
So I'm not completely against the bill but I'll admit it's a tad steep.
Maybe she is from india!!
Can you stop your slander and sometimes racial and hateful comments?
If the child is a swedish citizen now,......
Could she claim that the costs incurred were from the childs side and that under the swedish system "healthcare" is free to minors ;) LOL
Puffin only place ive heard of that citizenship issue is Saudi Arabia..never heard of that to be an issue in western countries!!!!
I am agree only with Sherlock.
I have never heard about "jus sanguinis" (only gain citizenship by the parents) only state like Sweden. My country is both "jus sanguinis" and "jus solis" (getting citizenshio by birth), indeed here some high official positions and working as a medical doctor can only be performed as "jus solis" citizenship here.