I know the healthcare system in America sucks but what about Australia's?

Answer 1

Australia has a public healthcare system, which is funded by all taxpayers. It's generally 1.5% of your taxable income (called Medicare Levy) if you earn below $50k. You may also have to pay a surcharge of 1% if you earn more than $50k pa and do not have a private health insurance cover. The system is quite good and fair. However, a major drawback of this system is that you may have to wait for ages to get an operation done in a public hospital. In addition, it does not cover all medical expenses such as dental costs. This is where private health insurance beomes handy. Depends on what type of cover you have, the majority of your medical expenses should be refunded to you. Plus you will get priority treatment in hospitals generally compared to those who do not have a private health insurance.

P.S. I noticed that someone mentioned bulk billing doctors above. Personally I had very bad experience with them so I'd rather go to doctors that charge slightly more but deliver a better service.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

The healthcare system here can be improved . but thank goodness we have a good one. Anyone on an urgent waiting list has priority and are usually operated on as soon as possible no longer than a month but often straight away. People that need minor surgery that is not life treatening may have to wait a couple of years unless they can afford to go private. Doctors are readily available but if you want your own doctor sometimes you can't see them for a day or two. Pensioners can get free dental and glasses so thats not to bad is it. Hopefully waiting list time will get better

Answer 3

I understand that the standards are very high in the USA, but that poor people cannot afford health care, and lower income people lose their homes etc to pay medical bills. That is very sad and unjust.

There is excellent quality medical care available in Australia. With serious illness everyone is taken care of. The poor get it for free, the middle income and richer Australians have the choice of free hospital care or if they are insured, private hospital care. The only people forced to use the public system are those who cannot afford insurance, everyone else has a choice.

The negatives in the public system are the long waiting lists for non-acute elective surgery. People can wait years for non-urgent surgery. We have a new government as of last weekend, here's hoping that they fix up the waiting list problem.

Answer 4

I had to pay $150 for a pelvic ultrasound the other day (only $50 of it refundable by Medicare if I did have it....I don't think it would be that much in the US, even without insurance)

On the other hand, it only costs about $50 to see a GP. However, if you need to see a specialist, you MUST get a referral from a GP which is an added cost.

As far as I know, dental care isn't covered by Medicare either.

Answer 5

Health care here in Australia is fantastic I think.

I had my gall bladder removed, was in a car accident and fractured my knee cap and had 2 babies in public hospitals (not all on the same day! lol) and Medicare took care of the whole thing.
I take my kids to a Doctor that bulk bills.
My daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate so we have numerous appointment with 5 different specialists, operations, dental which will fully cover braces etc. the list goes on and I NEVER have to pay a cent, GOD BLESS PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL!!

Like to see that happen for middle/lower class families in the US!

Answer 6

OK. You're entitled to your own opinions, but . . . the United States has the best health care available.

People from all over the world come here for health care.

I loved Australia, but never had any healthcare there.

Answer 7

I think you're referring to free healthcare? It's there, but you probably will have to wait for it, in cases of dental etc, you have to wait a few years for it...
I think it's better than America's, but heading in the same direction, which is unfortunate

Answer 8

Who said America's healthcare system sucks? Idiots like Michael Moore make us extremely negative. Australia has an excellent healthcare system, my grandpa had his open heart surgery done there.

Answer 9

I watched 'Sicko' the documentary from Micheal Moore a couple weeks back, and yeah from watching that - Australia has the best health care... !!
More info see http://health.gov.au and http://www.medicare.gov.au

Answer 10

The free heath care in Australia is slowly on its way out the back door and as for doctors and hospitals, its pays to have them checked out thoroughly before committing one self. Look at our so called Doctor Death, look at how many people he killed. Pays to stay healthy here in OZ.