The Norway Post
9 November 2003
New national health card
Next year, 4.5 million Norwegians may be issued a new, international health card which will guarantee immediate help in all countries of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The new card will replace form E-111, which Norwegians are adviced to carry
when travelling in Europe, confirming that you are a member of the Norwegian
Social Security System. Otherwise you may have to pay for your treatment, if
you should get sick.
The EU decided last year to replace form E-111 with a new “plastic card”, and the Norwegian health authorities have decided to introduce the new card from June next year.
To simplify the introduction, and make the system better known, the authorities are now considering issuing the card to all Norwegian citizens, regardless of whether they are planning an immediate trip abroad, or not.
The new card will not make the usual travel insurance obsolete, as the travel insurance also covers lost luggage, or free home travel in case of illness.
http://www.norwaypost.no/content.asp?cluster_id=23777&folder_id=1
Comment: The World Health Organization ranks the United States 72nd on the
performance of our health care system based on our level of health, below
all industrialized nations and below many third world nations.
Just imagine. If we had a universal system of social insurance that improved the allocation of our health care resources, we could also be considering joining with other nations in ensuring that health security is always guaranteed. But lacking a rational system, what country would want to enter an agreement with us?