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Those in countries with universal healthcare, what's it like? (lemmy.world)
submitted 6 months ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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As an American I'm curious what it's like if you need to go to the doctor and how much you pay from say a broken arm to general checkup. Also list what country please

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[–] 8 points 6 months ago (7 children)

Nope but our system is much more universal than America's.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (6 children)

    We have the same system for ambulances. You pay a yearly fee to insurance and ambulances are covered or made much cheaper.

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  • [–] 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (5 children)

    Hmmmm. Our ambulance membership costs go directly to the ambulance services though, not through an insurance company. The 'fee' without the membership is basically a penalty fee to encourage everyone to be a member so the ambulance is constantly funded.

    It really should be done as part of our tax system, but we tend to follow US crony capitalism.

    Edit: I'm half wrong. The money doesn't go to insurance companies but it's a state thing that sort of goes direct to the ambulance service.

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  • [–] 5 points 6 months ago (3 children)

    US crony capitalism.

    You can just say capitalism, calling it anything else only serves to mislead people about natural evolution of capitalism.

    Our ambulance membership costs go directly to the ambulance services though, not through an insurance company

    So what if you're outside that company's coverage area?

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

    You can just say capitalism, calling it anything else only serves to mislead people about natural evolution of capitalism.

    I think there's a little misunderstanding there (not US-crony-capitalism) but I'm happy to just call it capitalism.

    So what if you're outside that company's coverage area?

    It's not a company though. The ambulance is state run, so to be 'outside' the service area is to be in another state, where they'd have their own state run ambulance service.

    The membership covers costs for everyone within the state regardless of how remote you are.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago* (1 child)

    So if you're a NSW resident and you get hurt in Victoria, do you pay full rate or does the ambulance subscription cover you either way?

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  • [–] 3 points 6 months ago

    Very interesting question! I looked up what NSW has and they don't have anything like that. I also looked deeper into the ambulance Victoria requirements.

    So, if your primary place of residence is not in Victoria, you can't be a member and have to foot the entire bill unless your private health insurance covers it.

    If you're a Victorian with a membership, if you get hurt anywhere in the country, you're covered.

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  • [–] 3 points 6 months ago

    Yes and it allows people such as myself, low income earners, disability, to not have to pay for an ambulance (or an annual membership) if needed. ❤️ I think it's a pretty decent system especially compared to others.

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