Cattleman wrote:
Its the system we have here.
Everyone has medicare. That means that if you go to your doctor then some of them will charge a small extra fee, but others will "bulk bill" and not charge you anything extra. Because I am retired and have a pension card, my doctor doesn't charge me any extra fee.
If you require urgent treatment then you will be treated immediately, usually in a public hospital. When my wife broke her leg she was flown to and from a major trauma Hospital where she underwent 2 major operations. Overall she spent about 3 weeks in hospital. The only charge we had to pay was $50 for the rental of a wheelchair and other aids when she came home.
If you require non-urgent treatment (like, for instance, a replacement knee) then you will be put on a waiting list.
So, for example, I am developing cataracts in my eyes. I've seen the specialist, but because I still have quite reasonable eyesight, he probably wont get around to doing mine until next year.
If I had private insurance it would be quicker, and would probably be done in a private hospital with a better standard of accommodation.
But actually, many people who have private insurance end up paying a hell of a lot when they do have some major procedure. The specialists sometimes charge exorbitant fees to private patients, and their insurance doesn't cover the difference.
You say better standard of accommodations, but what about the standard of medical care? I am grudgingly ok with better accommodations, wine caviar instead of beans and wieners as oskar amusingly said, but not better medical care, facilities or doctors.
I do know the wealthier would not go for everyone having equal treatment all around, accommodations and care, because they feel the deserve better if they can pay for it. Wouldn't it be nice though if everyone was treated the same in all areas and not by the pocketbook - then healthcare and accommodations would most likely improve a whole lot for everyone.