The overwhelming majority of Australians are supportive of Medicare (yes, Australia's public health is called Medicare), but the tax system strongly incentivises people to get private health insurance once they start earning above a certain range. I've put private health insurance off until this year, when the tax bill just became too high.

For much of my life, a regular visit to a medical practitioner was typically free, or very close to free through bulk billing. General practitioners might charge over and above the bulk billing rate (Medicare covers most of the fee and the patient (or their private health insurance provider, if they have one) pays the difference). Over the past decade or so, fees charged by doctors have gradually increased while the Medicare rebate has failed to match it, which has meant the premium over and above the bulk billing rate has increased. In the past year or so, the Australian Government has injected significant cash back into the system to reduce the difference. Still, you might need to search around to find a general practitioner who'll only charge you the bulk billing rate (or just go to one of these, which are always free).

The Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, which massively reduces the cost of medication, is a cornerstone of our public health system and people would probably murder any politician who tried to come for it. This table is a good explanation of why.

It mostly works and most Australians are generally happy with it.

Aged care is a completely different system to all this, though.