A Question for the Australians

I didn't imply any judgement in my thread, did I? I hope not.

Just because people here are less likely to be bankrupted or rendered homeless because of medical expenses. I'm upset about Ninja.

Ninja? I'll have to check tomorrow. Must get to bed...

Just to add: no healthcare system is perfect. But if paying for your healthcare bankrupts you or makes you homeless, there's something very wrong with that idea.

Here I've been approved for Remicade but only for 3 doses. Hospital won't fund its use as a maintenance drug, at least not the one I'm at.

But then again, my case isn't as bad as that poor fellow in the article.

More regulated, I think, and more centralised.

The government generally sets guidelines on how a person can qualify for drugs or treatment, especially if those drugs or treatment are on the subsidised list. If you qualify, you should be able to get the treatment, and no middle party should be able to deny you access.

There are problems with access to hospital & surgical beds, especially in the big cities. mho is that health funding was neglected, even though the population was booming and pressure on the medical system was increasing. And the costs of providing such a supportive medical system are increasing to the point that the govt is thinking about changing our health system, though they haven't committed to any specific changes yet.

I wouldn't call the NZ man's situation a "horror story". I was in that situation myself, for a very long time, before Rem, Humira etc were approved for use. I do call it horrible, though, and very unfortunate.

Ivy.

GDen,
I do not think she thinks it is better, it is that she is trying to understand the fiercely independent tradition that we have in this country. It is difficult for person to understand that due to our legistative traditions there will be no immediate change (for that would be far too much like a royal decree), but also due to the fact it is much more difficult to make a health care plan for 306 million people then it is for 21 million people.
Take care,
Navy

P.S. Ivy there is a joke about least creditable sentences and one of them is: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."

They have legislatures in Australia.

Thanks for the link -- I started reading it.

I know no harm was meant by this thread or the previous thread about the American Healthcare system but can I please ask everyone to stay away from politics? It seems like whenever these types of threads come up they are mean't in good faith but end up in ugly debates or sometimes demeaning other cultures or countries. I love the fact that healingwell has been a sanctuary for me away from the real world with people that truly understand what I am going through. I love some of the OT topics sometimes because of the humor or sincerity that is portrayed but once politics is brought up everything changes. Feelings get hurt, people get offended, and this once peaceful place because a message board just like all the rest online. Peter Waite has gone out of his way to keep this place clean and I just feel that bringing this stuff up is a disservice to him and the whole reason of this board. I have not been an angel in the past and I think that this post is just as much for me as everyone else here. I promise to never discuss politics on here ever again and I hope that everyone else can do the same.

I agree with Tsitodawg, these conversations tend to get too political and really think we need to let this drop. Everyone is entitled to opinion, but when they get out of hand, they tend to do so quickly. So lets let this drop. Thank you!