Quote:Ever since I read about the Swiss health care system, I have advocated adopting it for Australia. That would mean for Australia abolishing medicare and replacing it with a system which would require private insurers be required to offer offer coverage to all citizens, regardless of age or medical history. And in turn people be obligated to buy health insurance with subsides for those whose health insurance expenses are more than a certain percentage of their income.
Australia actually had a system very much like that before Medicare. I worked for the Commonwealth health department, as an auditor. I audited the books of the health funds, a truly stultifying job.
It was called 'The Subsidised Health Benefits' System'. I was appalled when it was abolished,not believing for a second that Medicare would be cheaper or more efficient. I was part right..
Our present system, with its absurd 30%s subsidy ON TOP of Medicare for private health insurance seems to be more expensive and less efficient. However, I think it can be argued that our present system is more EFFECTIVE,which I consider more important,
