The bottom line is that those who are unwilling to use the Australian public health system pay the medical bills of those who do use it.

This is not necessarily a social case of the wealthy subsidising the poor (which may be justified), but includes even poorer people and poorer patients subsidising wealthier ones, even to the extent that as a result of the tax they pay they cannot afford to pay for their own healthcare.

Possible reasons for unwillingness to use the public health system include (but are not limited to):

* The moral abhorrence of taking other people's money.
(with two sub-cases: those who would not beg for other people's money at all; and those who would not accept monies that were taken from others against their will)

* Non-acceptance of the conventional Western system of medicine (as Medicare does not pay for any alternatives)

* Unwillingness to suffer in the queue.

* Trusting overseas doctors and hospitals more (or only having family-members overseas who can care for oneself when ill).

* Not wanting Big Brother to know and keep records about one's medical condition.

As a result of this government intervention, Australian doctors owe nothing to their patients, but rather serve the interests of their patron - government, and when conflict-of-interests arise, serve them instead. That is also likely to make them lazier and demand more pay for less dedication.

Public health should be reserved for those who truly cannot afford paying their own medical fees, nor even for a private health insurance. There certainly is a place for compassion, but to avoid abuse, public medical funding should be treated as a HECS-like loan, to be paid back when one earns more or out of their estate. Finally, public health for the needy should not be unfairly restricted to conventional Western medicine.

SOS: The nurses and doctors did the right thing with the heart attack 'patients' Jayb.

10 hours of just sitting around joking. You've got to be kidding. Not one nurse or Doctor came out to make any sort of assessment in that time. Cut finger? I lost 12 mm of my finger in an Electric Plane. The lad with the nail couldn't bend his knee & was in great pain as well.