Axel Grease wrote:
"diggerop" toobusy@themoment wrote in message
. au...
"Mark & Juanita" wrote in message
m...

When Australia first nationalised medical care in 1975, I was
vehemently opposed to it. Saw it as government interference,
creeping socialism and denying freedom of choice. I held that view
for many years. Gradually, as I saw it get through some teething
troubles and changes, some of which were caused by changes of
government it evolved into a workable system. snip Everyone,
whether
privately insured or not, gets hospital treatment at no cost.

No cost? Why do you not count your taxes which pay for it?


Currently, Australia spends approx 9% of GDP on medical care. I
believe the US currently spends something like 15% of GDP. Yet
Australians reportedly live on average live 4 years longer than the
average US citizen.
Got to be food for thought in that.

Many variables ae possible there.
One might be American hypocondria. In some instances, staying away
from doctors can be a healthier choice than being treated often.
99,000 Americans die every year from MRSA. Most catch it in
hospitals and clinics during treatment for other problems.

The problem with this sort of argument is that we don't know how "die" is
defined. Most countries don't count stillbirths and miscarriages as
"deaths" but they define "stillbirth" and "miscarriage" in different
ways--in some places they'll struggle mightily to save a 20 week fetus and
list it as "infant mortality" when they fail, while in other places a full
term infant that dies within an hour of birth is a "stillbirth". And
regardless of UN guidelines their statistics are based on reported deaths
and doctors in the middle of treating patients don't give a hoot in Hell
about some bureaucrat's statistical requirements.

We do not however, have a national dental care system, which puts
dental treatment out of reach of many people. My insurance covers
part of the cost, but disadvantaged people miss out.

diggerop


Thanks for explaining the dental care situation.

How are optical care and glasses paid for?
Giving benefit of the doubt, let's presume that eye surgery is
counted like any other surgery and paid for in the publicly funded
system supported by tax money.

Just a comment, but with regard to routine eye care, an eye exam in the US
costs 50 bucks and anybody can get glasses for 8 bucks, so I don't see any
need for medical insurance to pay for those.