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GlennD didn't want political/moral debate on health care, so I'll avoid that, though I do have strong opinions. GlennD just wanted personal experiences, so here's mine:
In Australia we have both government provided health care and, if you want to pay for it, private health care.
I choose not to pay for private health care. I've been hospitalized twice.
Once, I lost a lot of skin in a chemical burn. I was through ER and in a hospital ward within minutes. After about three weeks in hospital, I had recovered sufficiently to go home. I was given "meals on wheels" (someone brings prepared food around to your home) until I had regained sufficient mobility to feed myself. There was no cost to me at all.
On the second occasion, a badly set broken nose started to give me breathing problems. The doctor told me I would have to go on a waiting list for about 18 months. Two weeks later I was in hospital, getting my nose reset. About a week in hospital and cost me nothing.
On my infrequent visits to doctors, I go to a local medical centre where I'm allowed to choose a particular doctor, but I never bother. A consult costs $55.00 up front but then I get a government refund of $32.10.
I had laser nuking of one eye that had severe astigmatism. A perfect job which cost me $2500 up front. I got a tax rebate of about $500 on that.
The dentist: The last time I had a clean in Melbourne was in 2005 and it cost me $135. Now I have it done a couple of times per year in Pattaya, Thailand. The cost is about $30. They do a far better job than Melbourne and the staff are sooooo cute!
(Prices in Australian dollars).
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