Who has better healthcare, USA or Australia, depends on measure, but Australia generally ranks higher for access, affordability and outcomes, while USA ranks higher for specialist access and technology. Australia has universal healthcare via Medicare, providing free public hospital care and subsidised GP and prescriptions for citizens and permanent residents, with life expectancy 83.4 years versus US 77.5 years, infant mortality 3.3 per 1000 versus US 5.4, and maternal mortality lower. Australia spends 10% of GDP on health versus US 18%, yet covers everyone, while US has 8% uninsured. Australian healthcare costs are lower, GP $80 to $120 with Medicare rebate $41, specialist $200 to $400, public hospital free, private hospital $1,500 per day, while US costs $200 to $400 GP, $10,000+ hospital day without insurance. Wait times for elective surgery in Australia 6 to 18 months public, but private within weeks, similar to US. US has better access to latest drugs and cancer treatments faster, and shorter wait for specialist if insured, with world leading hospitals like Mayo Clinic. However, medical bankruptcy is common in US, 500K per year, rare in Australia. Commonwealth Fund ranks Australia top 5 healthcare system, US last among developed nations. So for overall population health, affordability and equity, Australia has better healthcare, for cutting-edge specialist care if you have premium insurance and money, USA has better access to innovation.
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