Swiss Health Care System

[Justtristo]

Anyway the problem I see with the 30% private health insurance rebate is that it often than not goes to people who can afford health insurance anyway

Yes there is that. One could be forgiven for thinking the subsidy is for the greedy middle class. (who already pay a 2.5% tax levy for Medicare)

However,there are also many thousands in my position;older people who may be in need of elective surgery ,such as say a knee or hip replacement or a heart operation for a condition which is not IMMEDIATELY life threatening. EG 2 years ago,I had minor plumbing surgery,at a private hospital. (covered by my private health insurance) From diagnosis to operation:10 days. Public hospital; a 2 year wait.

I do not have private health insurance because I can easily afford it, I have it because I cannot afford NOT to have it if I wan to maintain a decent quality of life as I age.

Well with the overhaul I would propose for the Australian health care system. Instead of medicare people have to take out compulsory health insurance and if it exceeds a certain percentage of income (8% in Switzerland) what ever insurance premium cost over that amount would be subsided by the government.