In Australia EVERY working man, woman pay 1.5% of their earnings. It is called Medicare. Our system is shocking and the only way is to go private.
Over a month ago I had cause to go to a Dr. No problem getting an appointment to see him but he was so over worked I had to wait an hour to get to see him...my visit wasnt good news and I had to have a day surgery procedure done. He gave me a referring letter to a PRIVATE specialist and also sent a referral to the specialist in the local hospital. I had to wait 3 weeks to see the specialist, went on the tuesday and was in hospital on the thursday....$2500 later my problem was fixed. 3 days after my op I got the appointment to see the PUBLIC specialist...but that wasnt for another month. I could have gotten the same procedure done at no cost but I would have been a damn site sicker by then.

AD is right when he says there are waiting lists to go on waiting lists LOL....Jules I don't think your system is any better than it is here. My GF is a pom now living in Australia and she reckons the health system there is terrible. She was living/working on the outskirts of London.

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/17482.htm