On Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:13:26 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

>On 4/12/2016 4:12 PM, Je?us wrote:
>>
>> So sorry to hear that, $8000 pa is a lot of money to pay out annually
>> for just one person. Our system is quite different here - although of
>> course there are shysters who would love to emulate your system here
>> in Australia. It may well happen here yet. In the meantime, it is also
>> the middle class in Aus that gets hit hardest with taxes, etc.
>>
>I had lunch today with one of our machine suppliers in Denmark so I
>asked him about healthcare in his country. He had some interesting
>comments about it.
>
>First, like others have said, he is happy that he is fully covered.
>
>He has no idea of the actual cost. It is paid for by a 25% VAT tax on
>purchases. He did say that the car tax is reduced and is now down to
>150%. No, that is not a typo, it is 150%.

Not much point bringing up indirect comparisons like that without
analysing their entire taxation system, along with other benefits
received (or not received). Comparing standards of living may give a
better indication.

>Getting treatment can take a while, elective surgery is 6 months or
>more. What is worse though, he says people don't value the benefit and
>think nothing of it to just not show up for the operation even though
>the staff is ready.
>
>Michael also said that doctors and nurses are indifferent and don't care
>about patients like they do in other countries. They can't be fired.
>
>Extra insurance is available and you can get treatment from private
>doctors and get better appointment times. Not a perfect system that he
>says is getting worse.

I read Bruce's reply, which echos mine. You won't find many people
_anywhere_ who are happy with their health system, but few outside the
U.S have pay such a crippling amount just for insurance.