Australia's Health System

[Geez Louise]

I have just had to get a perscription filled at the chemist and it cost me $800 for 30 tablets! and I have 3 more repeats! I mean I need to take them and money shouldn't come into it but WOW! I could drink 20 slabs for that.

I was told that it wasn't on the Government's PBS and that my health insurance should have told me that it was going to cost this much...What a crock!!!

I think this countries health system needs a TOTAL overhaul!!

And that's my rant!!

[Dave_au]

Any health system could be a lot better - but it also could be a lot worse, look at the US system.

Also, it's obviously unfortunate that those pills cost you $800, and that your going to have to have three repeats, that's actually quite a high cost.

So who does have the best health system in the world? The Neatherlands?

[|||]

they should just make the medicare levy 5% instead of one then all drugs will be free

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by |||

they should just make the medicare levy 5% instead of one then all drugs will be free

That will increase tax on the average wage by $1,820 per year.

[|||]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

That will increase tax on the average wage by $1,820 per year.

Geez Louise will still be $1380 better off and more kids will get their ADD meds which means i dont have to listen to them go nuts on the train lol

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by |||

they should just make the medicare levy 5% instead of one then all drugs will be free

Spoken by somebody who earns less than $50G per year I bet. I'm right on the cusp, just under luckily. I'll have to start private health insurance hunting soon though.

Paying $800 for 30 pills is a bit rough though!

[jcxr]

Better paying the $$$ than being in a box.

[FORD3V]

Thats what happens when you sign free trade agreements with the likes of the u.s, wealthy american pharmecutical companys are laughing there a#%es of at us.

[Geez Louise]

You know what really ticks me off is that this is just one of the medications I have to take....combine all of them together and the cost is disgusting!! Good thing I am paid well!!

I pay my taxes like everyone else and I pay MORE than most in medicare levy because of my income bracket. I should quit my job...go on the dole and have a health care card!! It doesn't make sense to me how the system works!!

[Feathers]

My mother's immunosuppressant medication for her transplant is $26,000 for a month's supply.
Though she only pays $26 a month.

I cant even begin to imagine how much the transplant and hospital costs were, as well as the months of dialysis treatments (including having a machine in our home for a couple of months), and all the other hospital stays and treatment/operations she's had that didn't cost her anything.
There are a lot of countries where that just wouldn't happen, and she most likely wouldn't be here now because she couldn't afford it.

Governments in NSW have made some very poor decisions with some of our hospitals.
Prince Henry Hospital at Little Bay was closed down and moved to Prince of Wales, because the land by the ocean was valuable, and got sold to developers.
Same with Lidcombe Hospital, which got taken into Bankstown Hospital.

Now both of them are overcrowded, theres nowhere to park for visitors, and the patients that are well enough to go for a walk can only walk through corridors and carparks.
Both the two that closed had grounds where you could go for a walk and relax, and there was plenty of room where they could have built when they needed to expand, without everyone being squashed in like sardines.

[zetec]

One fact remains, drug companies don't develop these drugs for nothing. PhD trained scientist don't work for free, labs don't run themselves, patients don't volunteer for free research and 5-10 years of research on a new drug certainly doesn't pay for itself. There's only one way to cover the cost of researching new drugs and that's charging end users of those drugs. I fail to see how it's wrong or bad for a drug company to charge for drugs. Unfortunate yes, but if you need a repair on your home after a major storm, the government doesn't cover the cost, you do (and hopefully through insurance).

Ideally private health care should somehow cover the cost of these kinds of things. The tough thing is low income earners who can't afford the health insurance... that's when the extra levy paid by higher income earners subsidises most people through PBS drugs. Eventually most important drugs will make their way onto the PBS scheme but naturally it's not automatic and there'll always be some slipping through the cracks.

I'm just happy to work hard, pay my levy, pay my insurance and if my taxes subsidise those on lower incomes, I don't really care. I'd rather spend the time I could be whinging doing something to enjoy my life before something out of my control happens. I think I have it pretty bloody well when I live in a county where I can flick a switch or dial a number for anything I could ever dream of, drink celan water and be happy knowing I'll probably make it home after dark without anyone pulling an AK-47 on me.

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

I have just had to get a perscription filled at the chemist and it cost me $800 for 30 tablets! and I have 3 more repeats! I mean I need to take them and money shouldn't come into it but WOW! I could drink 20 slabs for that.

I was told that it wasn't on the Government's PBS and that my health insurance should have told me that it was going to cost this much...What a crock!!!



And that's my rant!!

Sorry to hear you are unwell Geez Louise. I agree the tablets you are taking are expencive. Lets just be glad you can afford them and can at least get access to drugs in the first place. There are many places in the world you would not be so lucky.

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

You know what really ticks me off is that this is just one of the medications I have to take....combine all of them together and the cost is disgusting!! Good thing I am paid well!!

I pay my taxes like everyone else and I pay MORE than most in medicare levy because of my income bracket. I should quit my job...go on the dole and have a health care card!!

If the drugs are not on the PBS how would this help you? Do you imagine people on the dole get expencive drugs not on the PBS for free?

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

I think this countries health system needs a TOTAL overhaul!! It doesn't make sense to me how the system works!!

I disagree, Australias PBS is worlds best practice. We can negotiate with the big companies for discounts because it is an Australia wide system. Obviously it can not cover everything, but it is a great system IMHO.

I should add I've taken medication that costs $7000 per dose, not covered by the PBS or private Insurance. I know people that have to take the same medication every six weeks to function. They have worked hard all their lives, paid tax, always had top private cover etc. They had to re-mortgage their home and obatin access to their superannuation to pay for their drugs.

There is always someone worse off!

End of Rant

[Geez Louise]

Sorry if anyone was offended by my comments. I mean no disrespect. It was just a shock to get the bill. Yes I agree that the health system is not that bad. We could all be living in Africa or some 3rd world country where they don't have electricty or fresh clean running water or enough food to even eat! I always say to my kids...you are not starving...you are just hungry.

I also am not saying that low income earners are not entitled to the same as everyone else! People are people and money does not maketh the man!

Sorry...I was just venting! There is always someone worse off than you!
Walk a day in someone else's shoes...you will find they don't smell as bad as your own!

Cheers!

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Sorry...I was just venting! There is always someone worse off than you!
Walk a day in someone else's shoes...you will find they don't smell as bad as your own!Cheers!

We all vent in our own way, while I wouldn't choose to do it on a Ford Forum site, guaranteed I'd be carefully choosing a number of words after realising I'd be spending $2400 on some pills that aren't going to alter my mood in any significant way. :P

[Geez Louise]

Originally Posted by Rodp

We all vent in our own way, while I wouldn't choose to do it on a Ford Forum site, guaranteed I'd be carefully choosing a number of words after realising I'd be spending $2400 on some pills that aren't going to alter my mood in any significant way. :P

Exactly,,,,now if they were little happy pills...who would care!!!

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Any health system could be a lot better - but it also could be a lot worse, look at the US system.

Also, it's obviously unfortunate that those pills cost you $800, and that your going to have to have three repeats, that's actually quite a high cost.

So who does have the best health system in the world? The Neatherlands?

dunno about the netherlands or america, but in the UK, doc visits are free, meds are free, dentists, etc are free.......

my dad needed some dental work done recently, and it was only *just* cheaper to see a local dentist than to fly over to england and get the dental work done for free.......

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

Spoken by somebody who earns less than $50G per year I bet. I'm right on the cusp, just under luckily. I'll have to start private health insurance hunting soon though.

Paying $800 for 30 pills is a bit rough though!

the extra levy on your Medicare, is much cheaper than health insurance. I pay the levy and not health insurance. If you haven't taken health insurance out before you are 30, there is a surcharge over and above the health insurance premium.
What are the pills ???

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Sorry...I was just venting !

I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to death, your right to say it. :

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

There is always someone worse off than you!
Walk a day in someone else's shoes...you will find they don't smell as bad as your own!

Cheers!

Hell yes!!

Originally Posted by zetec

One fact remains, drug companies don't develop these drugs for nothing. PhD trained scientist don't work for free, labs don't run themselves, patients don't volunteer for free research and 5-10 years of research on a new drug certainly doesn't pay for itself. There's only one way to cover the cost of researching new drugs and that's charging end users of those drugs. I fail to see how it's wrong or bad for a drug company to charge for drugs. Unfortunate yes, but if you need a repair on your home after a major storm, the government doesn't cover the cost, you do (and hopefully through insurance).

Hmmm do you work for a drug company? LOL. I have no problem with companies making a profit, it's vital to remain in business. But the idea that the only way to produce drugs is through the market economy is ideology, not a fact.

Originally Posted by zetec

Ideally private health care should somehow cover the cost of these kinds of things.

A word to the wise, private health insurance does not cover "experimantal drugs". The standard test as to whether a drug is experimantal or not, is it on the PBS? If you wish a choice of ;doctor, hospital or want to avoid a waiting list then you must have private health cover. If you believe you are getting better treatment because you are private or you are covered for "everything" with private cover, you are in for a rude shock.

Originally Posted by zetec

The tough thing is low income earners who can't afford the health insurance... that's when the extra levy paid by higher income earners subsidises most people through PBS drugs. Eventually most important drugs will make their way onto the PBS scheme but naturally it's not automatic and there'll always be some slipping through the cracks.

High income earners are not subsudising low income earners, unless everyone requires an equal amount out of the system. A high income earner is not protected from a lifetime of ill health, or expences out side any private health cover. A low income earner could go to the grave never once burdening the health system. Also there no where near enough high income earners. Lower income earners pay the loins share of the medicare levy and personal income tax.
High income earners pay more because they can, I have no problem with it, it's not about sudsidy it's about ability to pay.

Originally Posted by zetec

I'm just happy to work hard, pay my levy, pay my insurance and if my taxes subsidise those on lower incomes, I don't really care. I'd rather spend the time I could be whinging doing something to enjoy my life before something out of my control happens.

You are not susudising anyone you are paying your way just like everyone else.

Originally Posted by zetec

. I think I have it pretty bloody well when I live in a county where I can flick a switch or dial a number for anything I could ever dream of, drink celan water and be happy knowing I'll probably make it home after dark without anyone pulling an AK-47 on me..

Amen to that.

[ABoringUsername]

I earn over 50K per year, and i have private health insurance.. i am happy to pay what we pay in taxes (maybe even a bit more) for the services we have (free healthcare, money if you lose your job, etc). without it i would probably be on an AWA earning $12 an hour at McDonalds...

[shane3]

Back in 2004 the wife and I went to the U.S (New York) and she had to go to the doctors, we had to pay $200.00 to see the doc, not after but before we sore him, then it cost us $80.00 for the meds, so $280.00 US to see the doc and get some tablets for a bladder infection.

[the_scotsman]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

dunno about the netherlands or america, but in the UK, doc visits are free, meds are free, dentists, etc are free.......

my dad needed some dental work done recently, and it was only *just* cheaper to see a local dentist than to fly over to england and get the dental work done for free.......

Yea thats one thing that shocked me when I moved here...the cost of prescriptions!

In the UK, you pay a flat rate of something like 8 pound per prescription..no matter what you're getting. And the doctors visit is completely free.

Oh but only NHS (National health Service) dentists are free in the UK, and have long queues to join...private ones are quite pricey.

$800 for 31 tablets...wtf? Thats ludicrous!

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by the_scotsman

Yea thats one thing that shocked me when I moved here...the cost of prescriptions!

In the UK, you pay a flat rate of something like 8 pound per prescription..no matter what you're getting. And the doctors visit is completely free.

Oh but only NHS (National health Service) dentists are free in the UK, and have long queues to join...private ones are quite pricey.

$800 for 31 tablets...wtf? Thats ludicrous!

Czech friends of ours also got a heart attack coming here (plus high cost of living in general relative to wages). One of them needed major dental work and the quote was higher than the cost of flying back to Prague, staying in a hotel there for a fortnight and getting it done for free!

There is a bad problem in Australia with funding of hospitals and the health system generally (and education and transport and .....) as is in the press always.

[RIPGMH]

I can't understand private health insurance, a mate of mine got a pretty bad facial fracture. He went to his doctor and they referred him for an X-ray. When he turned up at the x-ray clinic which is at the hospital he was told that if he went into casulty he wouldn't have to pay a cent for the x-ray because he would then be public not private. Whats the point of going private other than not paying a big medicare levy at tax time?

[zetec]

Originally Posted by RIPGMH

I can't understand private health insurance, a mate of mine got a pretty bad facial fracture. He went to his doctor and they referred him for an X-ray. When he turned up at the x-ray clinic which is at the hospital he was told that if he went into casulty he wouldn't have to pay a cent for the x-ray because he would then be public not private. Whats the point of going private other than not paying a big medicare levy at tax time?

Some things are covered and some things aren't. If he'd had his leg amputated and needed a prosthetic from a car accident, likely private would have paid for a private room, the prosthetic and the physio and training to teach him to walk again, whereas public would have subsidised the operation and possibly put him in a public room. The public system itself isn't inadequate, just not designed to cover everything, especially major things.

Just to clarify no I don't work for a medical company, I just understand that there has to be some sort of incentive for the drug companies to develop these drugs, it's a very costly exercise. I did a Science degree at uni majoring in Biotechnology so I've done my fair share of specialising in the area.

[maty]

keep your receipts for your pills should be able to claim anything over $1500 in medical expenses when you do your tax.least you some money back

[paule11]

Originally Posted by RIPGMH

I can't understand private health insurance, a mate of mine got a pretty bad facial fracture. He went to his doctor and they referred him for an X-ray. When he turned up at the x-ray clinic which is at the hospital he was told that if he went into casulty he wouldn't have to pay a cent for the x-ray because he would then be public not private. Whats the point of going private other than not paying a big medicare levy at tax time?

If I hasnt had private health cover according to the specialist treating me it would have been at least 12 months wait or so in public health for treatment I would probably not be typing this now. Would be 6 feet under

[Bluehoon]

So you lot want the government to pay for everything? I'm sick, I need help, I need this, I want that, you do this, you do that, jeez there's an under lying theme here isn't there?

Spoilt whinging brat syndrome!

It's your life, your interest to maintain it, not my taxes so you get out cheaply!!!!

Before you start I am asthmatic, will die asthmatic, no PBS, no government help and no health insurance assistance.

Get up, gen on your feet and stop whinging.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by RIPGMH

I can't understand private health insurance, a mate of mine got a pretty bad facial fracture. He went to his doctor and they referred him for an X-ray. When he turned up at the x-ray clinic which is at the hospital he was told that if he went into casulty he wouldn't have to pay a cent for the x-ray because he would then be public not private. Whats the point of going private other than not paying a big medicare levy at tax time?

You serious? wait till you rupture an ACL and need a reco or get a bad soft tissue injury playing sport... there is a massive difference in your options, timing of surgery, access to quality specalist surgeons quickly, physio and rehab, and out of pocket costs for these kinds of injuries.
Or your wife gets pregnant and wants nice facilities and a nice private room to give birth...
Private health insurance has saved me and my wife tens of thousands of dollars..

[RIPGMH]

Originally Posted by zetec

Some things are covered and some things aren't. If he'd had his leg amputated and needed a prosthetic from a car accident, likely private would have paid for a private room, the prosthetic and the physio and training to teach him to walk again, whereas public would have subsidised the operation and possibly put him in a public room. The public system itself isn't inadequate, just not designed to cover everything, especially major things.

Just to clarify no I don't work for a medical company, I just understand that there has to be some sort of incentive for the drug companies to develop these drugs, it's a very costly exercise. I did a Science degree at uni majoring in Biotechnology so I've done my fair share of specialising in the area.

My brother spent 13 hours in surgery once after a car accident and the public system paid for everything, the nurses told him if he were admitted as a private patient that he would have had to pay for a lot of stuff himself then try and claim back a percentage. The other thing is this is a fairly small town so there are a limited number of private beds avaliable. So you just end up in public bed anyway.

[RIPGMH]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

You serious? wait till you rupture an ACL and need a reco or get a bad soft tissue injury playing sport... there is a massive difference in your options, timing of surgery, access to quality specalist surgeons quickly, physio and rehab, and out of pocket costs for these kinds of injuries.
Or your wife gets pregnant and wants nice facilities and a nice private room to give birth...
Private health insurance has saved me and my wife tens of thousands of dollars..

I've got private health insurance but so far the only benefit is that I don't pay a big levy at tax time. I've never been in hospital but I've seen too many people with insurance sitting in public beds.