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and I owe my life to their public health system several times over.
After I came here my artificial heart valve became infected. I ended up on the heart surgury floor at St. Vincent's in Sydney. things were real grim. I woke up one time to the priest preparing for last rights. I kid you not!
Three months in the hospital cost me (Aus)$75. I thankfully was not financially wiped out. I met doctors who have discovered new medicines for resistant strains of bacteria. I have seen posters describing new surgical techniques discovered here in Oz. The American medical establishment doesn't have a monopoly on innovation.
In addition I suggest you look at some Aussie anti-smoking ads. One shows the lungs and dissected brain of a cancer victim. Currently we are starting to see some ads that have to do with our diets. I am a member of a sporting club that is partly publicly funded. All these things are due, in part, to a medical system where the costs are publicly borne.
Just don't ask about aboriginal care. It is underfunded and overworked. Australia and public healthcare are not heaven.
In large part your healthcare system is about values. American leadership values blowing up large and small countries. Its citizens can go stuff it.
There is one point that is missing. Most public healthcare systems are run by governments that are accountable to the citizenry. IE if you don't like the way the current government is running things you vote the bastards out. I mean to say that you need a functioning democracy for the system to work. In the US case I'm not sure how well the democratic system works.
Just to gently prod your readers. Despite overwhelming opposition you are still in Iraq and Afghanistan. The government is bailing out banks like they're going out of style etc. American governence seems to be week on the whole accountablilty thing. Unless it's about sex.
