May 2004
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An American Perspective: Norway – Land of Milk and Honey The April issue of "The Rake" magazine has an interesting article featuring an American’s experiences with the Norwegian welfare system. Eric Dregni received a Fulbright scholarship and moved from Minnesota to Trondheim, Norway with his pregnant wife, Katy. Here is some of what he wrote. "One of our chief worries was getting health care coverage abroad." But they learned that all persons resident or working in Norway are insured under the National Insurance Scheme. A hospital bill for a normal delivery in Minnesota would easily be $5000. In Norway, the state paid the couple $5000 in cash for having their baby. Every month, the government automatically deposited $145 into their bank account. Even taking the taxi back and forth to the hospital was reimbursed. "The jordmor (midwife) ran the show," Eric writes about the birth. "Even when a doctor was called in because the umbilical cord had gotten wrapped twice around the baby’s neck. In our native country, fear of a lawsuit would likely have prompted a doctor to insist on a cesarean section, but in Norway, C-sections account for only 12.5% of births, compared to 26.1% in the U.S." The article explains the Norwegian welfare with the oil production. Norway is the third-largest oil exporter in the world (behind Saudi Arabia and Russia). Taxes are high and prices sky-high. ($10 for a Burger King Whopper). Norway has the world’s highest standard of living due to shared wealth. An oil executive may earn $43,000 to $57,000, while hotel maids average about $28,500. Everyone’s income is public knowledge, even listed on the internet. Eric quotes a Norwegian saying "In Norway, all of our political parties are to the left of America’s democrats." Norwegians work 35 hours a week, and enjoy five weeks of vacation a year. The article also mentions jails, which are more like a hotel. Some prisoners have studied to become lawyers while they are in jail, everything paid for by the government. It’s very interesting to see how Norway is observed through the eyes of an American. To read such a positive article about Norway in a Minneapolis magazine is quite flattering. It certainly reflects two quite different political systems. Jens Arne Dale, pastor |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |