Question for people outside of the U.S.?

Question

I understand that in other countries where there is "free" health care that although that sounds great to us in the U.S., there are problems right? I mean, do you have to wait 6 months (or whatever to get an appointment)??? Do you know what kind of $$ the doctors make with the government paying for this - I guess I mean - do they live a wealthy lifestyle like the doctors in the US?

Answer 1

I live in Australia and we supposingly have free health care but not true for people who do not have private health care the wait for specialist services can be as long as 18 mnths. Yes Drs do get paid well for there services in regards to public dentist people are having to wait for up to 5 years for teeth.

Answer 2

I live in Canada, and we have a great health care plan. I can call my family doctor and get an appt within 2 days. If you need other tests done such as an MRI, or Catscan, you can wait up to 5 months. We used to have our eye exams for free, but now we have to pay up to $50 for that. I don't think the doctors in Canada are wealthy, there are just living comfortably

Answer 3

I live in UAE, in the governmental hospitals you may wait 2 or 3 weeks, this depends on the case itself and availability. But normally you get an appointment within one week. The government tends now towards private health insurance, which permits you to go to private hospitals and clinics, so you can see the Dr. whenever you would and also choose your doctor too.

I think those famous doctors here, live wealthy life style, especially there's no taxes here or alike.

Answer 4

here in Canada doctors are still rich. there may be wait times for some surgeries, but over all, health care is as good as, or better than the US. more to the point, no one has died in the waiting room here for lack of insurance.

the biggest problem is our health care system is underfunded by conservative finance ministers who then turn around and say that private health care is better. if our government took a more responsible approach to the issue, there'd be less of a problem.

for example, here in BC the gov't closed a bunch of hospitals and imposed a wage cut on doctors and nurses (causing a bunch to quit in disgust). now because there isn't room in hospitals, and not enough care workers to go around, they want to start private clinics.

Answer 5

Heres the deal for Australia -
Public Medicare system: Provides free healthcare with almost instant treatment for urgent problems and varying waiting lists for elective surgery. There is also the Pharmasutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) Which allows people to access the most commonly needed medications for $27.50 maximum and $3.80 max for those on a pension/welfare assistance.

Private: Family pays $1000 a year (approx) and they still get PBS but immediate admission to a private hospital for any other treatments and guaranteed private room and free dental/massage/natropathy/accupuncture etc....

So we have a fantastic system here...

Answer 6

There is no such thing as "free". Look at some of the total tax rates in European countries and if you don't mind paying 60% to 80% of your entire income in taxes well, then, I guess it is free. Who do you think pays for the cost of all this? If you say 'the government', where do you think the government gets its money? And who's hand is that in your pocket?

Stick the word "free" up in front of some people and they will trip all over themselves to pay any amount of money for it.

Answer 7

well here in france yes we have to wait,, but not 6 months,, always u can get ur opointment in 3 weeks its a lot but not so catastrophique, and yeah the doctors here aint wealthy like in us or some other countries and its true the gov pay a lot for this service but dont worry they take it back eassssssssssily

Answer 8

In India, few hospitals give free treatment for major diseases like Heat attack..etc...but yes..u hv to wait for 2-3 months...again it depends on criticality of the patiant's condition....

If u go to pvt healthcare institutes, they will charge whatever they like...depends on how famous the hospital is...yes..it has become a business....and if u hv money getting an appointment is not an issue...

Answer 9

Yes - It's so hard especially to retire in the Philippines - especially if you're not wealthy from the start.

Answer 10

In the UK, doctors are percieved to be decently wealthy but they deserve every penny they get.