[dools]

I live in Australia. I broke my calcaneus into 12 pieces 3 years ago. I stayed in hospital for 3 weeks whilst the swelling went down and then had my heel operated on for 9 hours.

I've been self-employed since 2003 and I've never paid a cent in health insurance, I just pay the Medicare levy like everyone else. I didn't pay any money at all for this stay or surgery, and also received free pain medication (endone, oxycontin etc.) upon release.

The surgery was successful and although I still have some pain sometimes, I can walk, run, play sport and do anything else I like.

If only the U.S healthcare system were my broken calcaneus :)