An American man who rubbished the idea healthcare in Australia is free has been slammed by Aussies who rushed to defend our government-subsidised system.
The TikToker, known as E Jones, discussed how Australia’s healthcare is funded by taxpayers in a video which was uploaded on Sunday, taking a swipe at those claiming it was ‘free’.
‘Only in Australia could I make a video complaining about the price of beer and be attacked by Australians being like ‘at least we’ve got free healthcare,’ he said.
‘Nothing is f***ing free,’ he said.
The American, who appears to visit Australia regularly, said that the healthcare system in Australia is designed to make people think the cost of receiving medical care is free – even though citizens end up paying for it through their taxes.
He also reminded Australians that many healthcare workers are walking off the job amid complaints they are underpaid.
‘If all these taxes that you’re paying is supposed to be going to that ‘free healthcare, somebody has mismanaged [it] drastically,’ he said.
‘I’ve seen several cars where nurses want to go on strike and I’ve seen the f***ing ambulance riding around with their f***ing windows drawn on about how they’re treated…’
The video received thousands of comments from Aussies, who were incensed by his understanding of Australia’s healthcare system.
‘You [the US] charge $8,000 per 12 hours in emergency. We pay $0. You lose,’ one person responded.
‘Our minimum wage is triple yours. We have compulsory superannuation, we get paid sick and 4 weeks annual leave. I think we good,’ another person wrote.
Australia provides universal healthcare through Medicare, which covers some or all of the costs of necessary health care. The scheme is funded through tax income
‘Our healthcare system is way better than the US. Taxes are an important way to look after society, I don’t mind paying tax to have healthcare for our country,’ a third added.
The man hit back at those who complained about the massive bills patients are required to pay in order to undergo emergency surgery in America.
‘My dad’s mate broke his leg in the US and it cost him $44,000,’ one person wrote.
‘Did he have insurance?’ the man replied.
One Aussie said basic health services are more affordable in Australia compared with the US.
‘When I was in America it cost me $350 to see a doctor and get an asthma inhaler because they aren’t over the counter compared with [Australia] where I pay $9 at a chemist,’ the commenter wrote.
‘You’re also not a citizen so yea you would pay more,’ the man replied.
The American, who appears to visit Australia regularly, said that the healthcare system in Australia is designed to make people think the cost of receiving medical care is free – even though citizens end up paying for it through their taxes
Australia provides universal healthcare through Medicare, which covers some or all of the costs of necessary health care.
Introduced by Bob Hawke’s government in 1984, Medicare covers the cost of GPs who bulk bill for consultations and some of the cost of seeing specialists.
The system also enables Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents to have access to dozens of prescription medicines managed by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The government-funded scheme ensures the cost of these medicines remain affordable.
The scheme is funded by the Medicare Levy imposed on taxpayers, which is currently two per cent of taxable income (reductions and exemptions are possible).
There is no universal healthcare system in the United States. Instead it consists of a famously complex ‘mixed’ system of publicly financed government Medicare and Medicaid coexisting with private health insurance plans.
The result is that a patient who has a broken leg could pay up to $7,500 for treatment, while the average cost of a three-day stint in hospital can potentially cost around $30,000, according to the US government healthcare website.
In Australia, by comparison, even privately insured patients can claim up to 75 percent of the cost of their treatment and surgery through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
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