Here in Australia we have government managed healthcare that works, and in my opinion works rather well. See Medicare Australia.

We also pay for private health insurance, mostly for the convenience factor of avoiding waiting lists for non-urgent treatment that we may need in the future. Our government also provides a 30% premium subsidy to encourage the purchase of private health insurance for those that can afford it. They also provide exemptions to the Medicare levy for low-income earners. This is how a government shows its citizens that it’s working for them rather than itself.

From what I understand, the US health system by comparison appears severely lacking. Somewhat odd too is the fact that it is provided as part of a salary package? What’s the go with that? And why is an employer responsible for their employee’s healthcare?

I’ve watched a number of documentaries about the US health system in the past, and while I take documentaries with a grain of salt, I was interested to see much of what I had heard in documentaries was backed up in this Wikipedia article, which if you read it is rather damning:

Health care in the United States

I don’t get why the US is so opposed to implementing something that could make their nation’s living conditions a great deal better across the board, not to mention take better care of their senior citizens and war veterans, which in my opinion should be a priority of any respectable nation. It’s puzzling to me that a country as prosperous is so deficient in healthcare standards. More puzzling yet is the nations reluctance to make a change that will be beneficial to all its citizens. What’s there to debate? Surely the citizens of the US are not so self-absorbed that they wouldn’t be willing to take a short-term financial set-back in national debt if it meant a benefit to the entire nation and their future generations? But then maybe I’m wrong. I thought along similar lines when it came to Toowoomba’s water crisis debate (a.k.a. Recycled water debate), but in the end FUD ended up winning out, and it may do so yet in this case.

If they are that worried about the cost, maybe they could put NASA on hiatus for a few years. Silly don’t you think, a country that has the most advanced space program in the world, yet can’t even sort out basics like healthcare. Priorities screwy much?

If I were ever offered the chance to live in the US I’d decline. In fact, I wouldn’t live their for quids. While the package wrapping is nice, the contents inside leaves a lot to be desired on a pragmatic level. By contrast my Australian tax dollars go toward things that I can actually see making a significant difference in people’s lives. Medicare being one of them. Family Tax Benefit being another. Even on a personal level, the Medicare threshold saved us stacks of money when we were pregnant with Josiah.

It’s not all bad news for US citizens though. Massachusetts State and the city of San Francisco (CA) seems to have the right idea… at least in regards to healthcare. Maybe they will lead the way in US medical reform. I tell you what though, when I read about conditions like this it makes me glad I live in Australia! Greatest nation on Earth IMO.