I'm with you on Mez... I think Medicare is great. And I don't have private cover, and won't get it unless it becomes complusory. I just can't make sense of it. I sat down and did the sums a couple of times and the extra 1% levy (if a couple earns over 100K or single over 50K) isn't as much as what you would pay for the private cover. And even with the "no gap" system in place, it seems you always end up paying extra when ever you use the health system.
The only draw back I have come accross in not having Priv Cover, was when I had my lap surgery - I had to wait for 4 months through the public system (which I didn't find to be THAT long a wait really). If I had Priv cover, I would have only had to wait maybe one month, but I would have also been out of pocket some (I can't remember the exact numbers now - but my girlfriend had her lap private, and I know she was still out of pocket in the end)
I have had great care through my pregnancy using the public system. And I haven't been out of pocket once. If there is a problem., they send you straight to see the dr or squeeze you in for an ultrasound... The quality of care I've experienced has been very high.
On the other side of the story - I can understand why alot of Dr's are no longer bulk billing for private consultations and common procedures, and tests. Now even though each year the medicare fees paid to drs are changed (generally they are increased) for some of the most common tests and procedures the fee has been steadily dropping over the last few years. And any increases that are given are generally quite low.
I haven't read much about the higher income earners and their access to medicare in the future either. So can't comment there... |