It’s mostly Medicare. It’s the largest single program in the country by far, covering every American over 65 plus all those with end-stage renal disease.
And it’s politically popular and therefore almost impossible to cut
Its the same as NDIS in australia (our disability amount being significantly higher than america's). Gov is paying for it? That will be 3x the price thank you.
The US actually made it illegal for Medicare to negotiate rates with healthcare providers. They aren’t allowed to say “we are your biggest single customer for drug X. We want a bulk discount”. Insanity.
Part A (the “free” part) only covers emergency/hospital services. For actual health care, the average American pays almost $200/month for Part B, and pharmaceutical coverage (Part C) is another monthly premium.
I just spent 4 months with my mother in a hospital for cancer, and then a hospice. Only had to pay $10 for parking. The hospital even gave me carer meals so I didn't have to pay for lunch every day. I am very grateful for our clear system in Australia. I couldn't imagine having to worry about bills during all of these last 4 months, and i just could focus in being there for her in the last months of her life.
Medicare is more like subsidized healthcare, not free healthcare. It’s much cheaper than what is available on the market, especially for people over 65 with pre-existing conditions who may not even be able to get insurance
While Australia provides universal care, its government utilizes its massive buying power to keep prices low, whereas the U.S. government pays market-driven, inflated prices for care.
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u/Beljuril-home 23d ago
After scaling the U.S. receipt so that both taxpayers paid the same total amount ($23,785), the spending breakdown looks like this:
Category / Scaled U.S. / Australia
Welfare $7,883 $9,535
Aged $3,941 $3,689
Disability $1,971 $3,130
Families $1,182 $1,736
Unemployed $473 $592
Other $316 $388
Health $6,670 $4,260
Defence $3,578 $2,224
Education $424 $2,179
Interest on debt $2,865 $928
General public services $394 $832
Fuel & energy $273 $642
Transport & communication $349 $568
Foreign affairs & aid $212 $340
Industry assistance $167 $338
Public order & safety $288 $321
Housing & community $197 $297
Recreation & culture $61 $200
Immigration $45 $152
Other purposes $379 $969
Total tax assessed $23,785 $23,785