Split Thread Australian speaker Harry Jenkins resigns

[amb]

Again off topic. perhaps a split is a good idea. Private hospitals have run at a profit. Thereby the rip-off of a private room in a private hospital can cost more than if staying at the Hilton. This before all the medical costs. My partner had a lump removed from her breast many years ago, and we had private insurance at the time. Full 100% cover, supposedly. For the next three months the bills never stopped. There was the anaesthetist, x rays, specialist treatment, even the use of the operating theatre was an extra, besides other medical bills. So why the hell pay for private insurance ?

 

[Hallo Alfie]

Care to back that up with something other than Howard Government talking points Alfie? I'm sure the cost benefit analysis is right there in your bookmarks, saved for such an occasion.

I'm certain that AUP can support his claims that. It was his point after all, so I guess he can do the legwork.

I don't think the public spending money on homeopathy, acupuncture and reiki (as covered by some private health insurers) is anything other than a waste.

Are people rebated on these things? I had no idea - I always thought they were extras which were paid on top of say a standard policy

That, unsurprisingly, is a complete myth. Creating a two-tiered healthcare system has left public hospitals competing for a smaller pool of funding and resources while providing better outcomes at lower cost.

The benefits of private health care are purely political.

http://www.drs.org.au/wwwboard/messages/101.html

Who is this person and why are should we listen? It's just an opinion from a doctor and not all that compelling really. Moreover the article was written in 1998! - we could hardly consider it current could we? Got anything more recent?

 

[Hallo Alfie]

Again off topic. perhaps a split is a good idea. Private hospitals have run at a profit. Thereby the rip-off of a private room in a private hospital can cost more than if staying at the Hilton. This before all the medical costs. My partner had a lump removed from her breast many years ago, and we had private insurance at the time. Full 100% cover, supposedly. For the next three months the bills never stopped. There was the anaesthetist, x rays, specialist treatment, even the use of the operating theatre was an extra, besides other medical bills. So why the hell pay for private insurance ?

You get a bed.
You get your own doctor.
Waiting lists.

To name a few.

 

[a_unique_person]

Again off topic. perhaps a split is a good idea. Private hospitals have run at a profit. Thereby the rip-off of a private room in a private hospital can cost more than if staying at the Hilton. This before all the medical costs. My partner had a lump removed from her breast many years ago, and we had private insurance at the time. Full 100% cover, supposedly. For the next three months the bills never stopped. There was the anaesthetist, x rays, specialist treatment, even the use of the operating theatre was an extra, besides other medical bills. So why the hell pay for private insurance ?

You won't find many emergency departments at Private Hospitals, if anyone. No profit in emergency cases, even if you have private insurance.

 

[wombatwal]

You won't find many emergency departments at Private Hospitals, if anyone. No profit in emergency cases, even if you have private insurance.

They do have emergency departments in private hospitals. Well in Sydney they do.

 

[amb]

You get a bed.
You get your own doctor.
Waiting lists.

To name a few.

All fine if one can afford it.

 

[a_unique_person]

They do have emergency departments in private hospitals. Well in Sydney they do.

I have been to several private hospitals in Melbourne. Invariably there is a big sign out the front saying "No Emergency Departement" out the front. One large private hospital that did have an emergency department has closed it.

 

[wombatwal]

In Sydney I know of two, there could be more.
Norwest Private Hospital has a Private Emergency Department OPEN 24/7 (Flat Rate Fee $345).
Sydney Adventist Hospital has a 24/7 Emergency department.