[Grace Oz]

Good on ya, Dr Sarah Flanders!!!!!!!

Excellent reporting of our BRILLIANT health system!
THANK YOU for your postive comments.
THANK YOU for alerting others to just how wonderful our system is here and how well it works.
I'm glad you enjoyed your time here in Australia and that you enjoyed working in our truly excellent and world class health system.
Best Wishes to you.

[llg]

Originally Posted by Grace Oz

With private cover the patient can choose their own specialist, doctor, hospital (usually, depends if the insurance company has an agreement -preferred provider-with the particular hospital), etc.
Also, with private cover, the patient doesn't have to wait on a list for elective surgery. They do with the public system.

In the public system, you are allocated whoever is on duty or whoever is the consultant for that department.
But, as Nyapa stated, the private consultants also operate/serve in the public system. So, the patient gets the best either way.

And yes, you certainly would receive the best care in the world in an Australian hospital!

You might like to enlighten yourself further about our Medicare system ...............
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

Thanks, Grace. I always find it interesting to learn about such things.

[Spidey's mom]

Ditto from me Grace . . . . (but then I usually ditto llg's posts)


steph

[towntalker]

do you have an income tax??
what is the average rate?

hope to visit there some day but i hope i don't find the need for your health care but i know it would be top notch if i did

[Grace Oz]

Yes, we do pay taxes.
you may be interested to check this out: ...............

http://www.ato.gov.au/

[CHATSDALE]

trying to find a site which shows the exchange rate between austrailian dollars and american dollars
off hand it looks kinda high but will try and find out something. this is going to be important because it may give us an idea of how to vote this year
thanks for the info

[talaxandra]

For currency exchange rates go to www.xe.com
Taxation rates depend on the level of income earned. There are two MediCare levies - the first applies to all income earners, the second is only charged to those who earn over $50,000/year and don't have private health insurance: it's an additional 1% on every taxable dollar (so it starts at $500). This new tax was introduced to increase the uptake of private health insurance,a dn is why the government gives private health insurance holders a 30% rebate.

[nyapa]

Originally Posted by Grace Oz

With private cover the patient can choose their own specialist, doctor, hospital (usually, depends if the insurance company has an agreement -preferred provider-with the particular hospital), etc.
Also, with private cover, the patient doesn't have to wait on a list for elective surgery. They do with the public system.

Good point Grace.

[Djuna]

I work in the NSW health system and I'm sorry, it doesn't work well and there are many flaws in very nature of government provided care.

This is an article which highlights some of these problems;

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2165027.htm

I am not an advocate of the US health system as it stands now, however I am also not an advocate of the system here in Australia or New Zealand.

While Australia is certainly a country that has a high degree of excellence in the medical field as a first world country, the huge waste of taxpayer dollars due to incompetence and inadequate accountability by Area health Services is astounding.

[Grace Oz]

Originally Posted by Djuna

I work in the NSW health system and I'm sorry, it doesn't work well and there are many flaws in very nature of government provided care.

This is an article which highlights some of these problems;

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2165027.htm

I am not an advocate of the US health system as it stands now, however I am also not an advocate of the system here in Australia or New Zealand.

While Australia is certainly a country that has a high degree of excellence in the medical field as a first world country, the huge waste of taxpayer dollars due to incompetence and inadequate accountability by Area health Services is astounding.

I respect your right to your opinion.
However, having worked in the nursing profession since I was 17 years old, both private and public systems, seen several governments come and go, witnessed the changing of how healthcare is administered and operates, I have to disagree with you.

It is my belief, that our present system does work. Sure, it's not 100% perfect. But, NO system is 100% perfect. Of course there will be failings in any system. Having travelled overseas, I can tell you, Australia does have one of the best health systems in the world.

JMHO.