Q&A on the News
Q: Regarding the world's happiest countries, how many have national health coverage? — Pat Gillman, Atlanta
A: The world's five happiest countries are Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden, according to the "2013 World Happiness Report," published last month by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Denmark's health care system is funded by taxes, is largely free for services and is available to any permanent resident. Norway's system is financed through taxes, managed by local governments, and coverage is universal. Coverage also is universal in Sweden, which has a publicly financed health care system. Most health care providers are government employees. Residents of Switzerland are required to buy health insurance but can compare plans and prices among companies. The Netherlands also requires its citizens to buy private insurance plans.
Q: Do blue disabled placards or license plates for the disabled expire after a definite period of time? Do they need to be renewed, or are they valid indefinitely? And, if there are time limits, how are they enforced? — Bob Perfetti, Johns Creek
A: There are both permanent plates and temporary placards for the disabled. The permanent plates must be renewed on a yearly basis, like other registered vehicles, a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Revenue told Q&A on the News. Temporary placards need to be renewed every six months and require a note from a doctor. Law enforcement agencies are responsible for enforcing expired tags and placards.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
