In response to rehctub - for every dollar people pay towards private health insurance, the Federal Government gives you 30 cents back - that is why its been called the 30% private health insurance rebate.

So it's not cost free to the taxpayer. I used to have private coverage (when I was about 8) and my family dropped out - as it was too expensive.

We need a broader tax base - and people need to be willing to pay more in tax so services can be provided - including public/private hospitals.

NathanJ, my wife and I pay a massive $700 per month/$8400 per year for us, and our 22YO son. None of us have health issues and none of us smoke.

Recently, when our son broke his shoulder, going private (despite having the top hospital cover) was going to cost between $1500 and $2000.

To me, that's a joke!

The problem with all of our services is that there are simply too many with their hands out and, ironically, the only ones who get the FREE EVERYTHING from the system, are those who CONTRIBUTE LITTLE OR NOTHING!

The other problem that has been festering for quit some time is that the hand out brigade are fast catching the contributing brigade, with the result being, insufficient funds to go around. Hence our current problem.

While I am not opposed to genuine il people, who can't afford medical help getting free treatment, I am opposed to those who receive this assistance while participating in forms of self harm, be it illegal drug use, smoking, drinking excessively, even obesity related illnesses to some degree.

As for drugs,namingly overdosing, many druggies being treated have up to ten medical personnel working on them at any one time, meanwhile, genuinely sick people often wait hours in the emergency room seeking treatment, treatment that sadly comes too late for some.

While tax reform is a must in this country, waste reform is just as important, otherwise you run the risk of throwing even more money into a broken model.

rehctub: While I am not opposed to genuine il people, who can't afford medical help getting free treatment, I am opposed to those who receive this assistance while participating in forms of self harm, be it illegal drug use, smoking, drinking excessively, even obesity related illnesses to some degree.

I agree. These types should be made to pay full price for the care they get right through from the police, Ambulance/Emergency Service & Hospital care. No sympathy what-so-ever. I think that would put a stop to a lot of the problem. It's a wonder these people don't sue their supplier. Now that would be interesting. ;-)

rehctub and Jayb - a few years ago before my Grandma died last year, she had to spend three months in a major public hospital - until we could find her a nursing home bed as she could not live at home. We were told she would be able to stay in the hospital as long as needed to - a large cost.

To simply write off problems like youth alcoholism isn't good enough - we have to do something, writing off drink driving isn't acceptable for example (as this can and will injure the innocent) for a long time.

Prevention is better than cure, when you see people in awful situations and this requires educational programs with funds for this to occur.

NathanJ: Prevention is better than cure, when you see people in awful situations and this requires educational programs with funds for this to occur.

I agree Nathan. That's why people who self inflicted harm should have to pay for every bit of Treatment, Care & Services they get. You can't beat that for an educational program. They have had Politically Correct Educational Programs on going for about 40 years & they have not worked. Programs in Schools. Taking Paraplegics into Schools, Learn to Drive Safely, Alcohol/Drug Programs run by the Politically Correct Do Gooders. Not one Program has made one iota of difference.

Hit them in the hip Pocket, that will.

JayB

Prevention is 'still' 100% better than cure. You haven't answered that question.

Too many innocent people are dying, left in a wheelchair, with a permanent illness, loss of family members - I could go on...... and these are the people not found to be doing the wrong thing. Putting in a penalty after that won't help the innocent.

Programs of the past - may not have been good - lets properly research, invest and get some good strategies in - now and this requires well put together thoughts and ideas.