[adentranter]

Aussie here. This is an interesting contrast to what the state of blood donation and healthcare here is. I have never seen a for profit blood bank here. It's mainly one non for profit that takes blood donations.

I have often tried to donate blood but been turned away due to my height vs weight ratio ( im skinny and tall ). I think the desire to donate blood for nothing may come from the fact that we receive pretty much free healthcare ( you can pay for health insurance and get access to better doctors and shorter waiting lists ).

I've read many things on HN about healthcare in the pass and it always amazes me how much I take my countries health system for granted.

I have put on 10 kgs (22 lbs) since I last tried so maybe I will try again sometime.

[chimeracoder]

> I think the desire to donate blood for nothing may come from the fact that we receive pretty much free healthcare ( you can pay for health insurance and get access to better doctors and shorter waiting lists ).

Whole blood donations are (almost always) uncompensated in the US as well. This article is referring to plasma donations, which are different and take longer.