An American who dismissed the idea that healthcare in Australia is free has come under fire from Australians who rushed to defend our government-subsidized system.
The TikToker, known as E Jones, discussed how taxpayers fund Australia’s healthcare in a video uploaded on Sunday, attacking those who claim it is “free”.
“Only in Australia could I make a video complaining about the price of beer and be attacked by Australians saying ‘at least we have free healthcare’,” he said.
“Nothing is fucking free,” he said.
The American, who appears to visit Australia regularly, said the Australian healthcare system is designed to make people believe that the cost of receiving healthcare is free, even though citizens end up paying for it with their taxes.
He also reminded Australians that many health workers are leaving their jobs amid complaints they are underpaid.
“If all these taxes that are paid are supposed to go towards that ‘free healthcare,’ someone has drastically mismanaged it,” he said.
‘I have seen several cars where the nurses want to strike and I have seen the damn ambulance driving around with the damn windows closed to tell how they are treated…’
The video received thousands of comments from Australians, who were outraged by its understanding of the Australian healthcare system.
‘You (United States) charge $8,000 for 12 hours in case of emergency. We pay $0. You lose,’ one person responded.
‘Our minimum wage is triple yours. We have mandatory retirement, we get sick pay and 4 weeks of annual leave. “I think we’re fine,” another person wrote.
Australia provides universal healthcare through Medicare, which covers some or all of the costs of necessary healthcare. The plan is funded by tax revenue.
‘Our health system is much better than that of the United States. Taxes are an important way to take care of society, I don’t mind paying taxes to have healthcare for our country,” added a third.
The man responded to those who complained about the huge bills that patients must pay to undergo emergency surgery in the United States.
“My father’s partner broke his leg in the United States and it cost him $44,000,” one person wrote.
‘Did you have insurance?’ the man responded.
One Australian said basic health services are more affordable in Australia than in the United States.
“When I was in the US it cost me $350 to see a doctor and get an asthma inhaler because they are not over the counter compared to (Australia) where I pay $9 at a pharmacy,” the commenter wrote.
“You’re not a citizen either, so you would pay more,” the man responded.
The American, who appears to visit Australia regularly, said the Australian healthcare system is designed to make people believe that the cost of receiving healthcare is free, even though citizens end up paying for it with their taxes.
Australia provides universal healthcare through Medicare, which covers some or all of the costs of necessary healthcare.
Introduced by Bob Hawke’s government in 1984, Medicare covers the cost of GPs bulk-billing for consultations and part of the cost of seeing specialists.
The system also allows citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand to access dozens of prescription medications managed by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The government-funded scheme ensures that the cost of these medications remains affordable.
The plan is funded by the Medicare tax imposed on taxpayers, which currently represents two percent of taxable income (reductions and exemptions are possible).
There is no universal healthcare system in the United States. Instead, it consists of a famously complex “mixed” system of publicly funded government Medicare and Medicaid. coexisting with private health insurance plans.
The result is that a patient with a broken leg could pay up to $7,500 for treatment, while the average cost of a three-day hospital stay can potentially cost around $30,000, according to the government’s healthcare website. of the United States.
In Australia, by comparison, even privately insured patients can claim up to 75 per cent of the cost of their treatment and surgery through the Medicare Benefits Scheme.