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To: kumar who wrote (62981)	8/23/2004 10:10:34 AM
From: michael97123	Respond to of 793838

US has had health insurance tied into employment for as long as i can remember. But it used to be almost free to the employee with little or no employee contribution. Over the past 20 years costs have skyrocketed as both the costs of HC have risen along with the lawsuits. So the model doesnt really work anymore. Is Australia a single payer system like canada? How do you perceive actual medical care to that here in the states? I think in 1986 the highest tax rate was reduced to 26% and health care costs were still manageable. Now, particularly after bush tax cuts down from 40 to 36% top rate, these costs have skyrocketed. The dem solution is to raise taxes on highest income. Republicans offer benign neglect more or less. Neither works as a solution for me. mike

To: kumar who wrote (62981)	8/23/2004 11:40:56 AM
From: aladin	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793838

Kumar, I am not familiar with the Australian health system, but if it is anything like Canada's or the UK's - there is added cost in taxes. Your direct fee does not in most systems cover the costs - it just gets some skin in the game. On the plus side for managing costs - most national systems limit litigation and use primary care physicians - requiring referrals for most specialists. Much like the often derided HMO's. But instead of a money grubbing evil capitalist - a National Health Care system is run by a benevolent Government employee. John