[ahpeeyem]

I would have lost my sight and probably then died slowly and painfully from a tumour some time in my teens if not for Australia's national Medicare system that's been treating my condition since I was 12 years old.

Instead I've only had to pay a nominal fee every time I need medication. Surgery, over a dozen MRI scans and visits to specialists over the years plus other tests and whatever else have all been paid for at no cost to me.

It scares the crap out of me to think what would have happened to me if I was in the USA.

To be able to see specialists or have expensive tests at times when I've been lucky to have $5 to my name is something I feel enormous gratitude for. I can't imagine the hardship having to pay for all this out of pocket would cause.