The best thing about Australia is that we are NOT America!
As much as the health insurance companies here would love us to have that system.
I fear that you're right Bird.
For the moment our public system is pretty good, not perfect but for most of us it works.
My brother had a shoulder reconstruction through the public system, pretty sure the wait wasn't too bad for him. I had my appendix out through the public system, it was same day service for me.
I posted this one in my rant post, but the kicker for me was when we had our twins.
Call it luck or what ever you like, but the day we went in for a routine checkup the doctor on duty was a leader in multiple births. He travels the world lecturing on the subject. He had a whole tribe of students following him around as he came and saw us. His checkup was so thorough, I was super impressed. He found a few things he wasn't happy with with one of the babies, so straight up to the surgical ward and in for an emergency C-section we went.
Again, call it luck if you like, but we had world class treatment in the public system that didn't cost us a cent. Meanwhile in the bed next to my wife was a lady that had a normal, simple birth, but went through the private system. Same hospital, same doctors, same Shitty food, about $2,000 difference in price.
Like I said, it might be worth while for some (especially the elderly and those with pre existing conditions) but the vast majority of people are just getting ripped off by a system and industry that relies on fear.