In this, AIMS’ sixth commentary on Swedish Health Care in Transition, author Johan Hjertqvist discusses the utility and effects of user fees in the Swedish health care system. The investigation explores several different aspects of health care including: general practitioners, dental services, elderly care and pharmaceuticals. Hjertqvist demonstrates how a co-payment system – whereby the public pays for a small percentage of the care they receive – has become instrumental in ensuring better health care in Sweden and not, as many Canadians fear, created a two-tier system.
