Hey America! Health care anyone?

So its Wednesday morning as I write..After 7am Monday I reported to a local hospital, having been booked in for a bone fusion in my foot under the public system. Its a very long and tedious story I will spare you. But I was previously booked for the same operation in a private hospital using my private health insurance, but that had to be cancelled and I couldnt rebook until next year.
So 10 days ago I get a phone call offering me this booking under the public scheme, I was way down the list, but no one above me was ready and willing to go that quickly this close to Christmas. So I took it.. Same Surgeon. Different Hospital. No Private room. But best care anywhere. (I think every hospital I have been in has the BEST staff, working under trying conditions.) But anyway.
7.30 Monada. Booked in.. Fasted already.. 11am. into theatre.. 2.30 through recovery and back on the ward. (2 person room) Bad night sleeping (I never sleep in hospitals, every noise, and the beds are too narrow)Tuesday. Surgeons see me, pharmacy sees me, physio sees me. Pharmacy sees me again , Physio comes back to make sure I have all I need to cope at home and checks I can use crutches and walking frame. (old hand at both.) and signs me out. Daughter picks me up before 2pm Tuesday and spends half an hour placing everything where I can use and reach.. And I slept the sleep of the dead until my customary time.
Free Cami boot. Free meds and antibiotics to cover me(apart from $7.70 for some Oxi in case I have strong pain. But I dont) Free Toilet seat with arms to push off and stand. I already had A walking frame, Crutches and a shower seat. Follow up appointments already booked for a week ahead. and I will get a couple of drop in visits from people to make sure I am coping on my own (which I am)
Total I expected to pay for this with Private insurance next year. About $1800 was my copay, for Hospital, surgeon and team and post care.
Total I paid to have it done sooner under the public system with the SAME SURGEON. $7.70 and only because I opted for the extra meds.
Gotta love our Medicare.😷

newjaninev2 · 56-60, F

Comparable to New Zealand. My friend's husband suffered a STEMI (a very serious heart attack), taken to ICU, spent nearly two weeks there, had an angiogram and constant assessments, was accepted for surgery, underwent a triple bypass, and then spent three weeks in the hospital being assessed and monitored (the op was very successful).

Gold-standard level of care at very stage.

Now takes a cocktail of meds and has a cardiologist's review every year.

He had no insurance whatsoever.

He paid nothing for the entire procedure. Zero... never saw a bill, and never will.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

In other words, a system focused on providing efficient, cost-effective, total health care on a timely basis, which also happens to turn out to be the cheapest way to do it if you avoid all the gotcha for-profit games between insurers, providers, and the government.

Fortunately, I have that here in the U.S. through an integrated, non-profit, prepaid health care delivery system IN SPITE of our government.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@dancingtongue I am happy to hear it is alive and well. I confess I wasnt aware it was there. More power to you..😷