[defrost]

> But at least she was treated at “the best cancer hospital in the world”.

Last time I checked, Australia had better cancer survival rates than the US, higher quality of life, greater expected life span, and a hybrid medicare / private insurance system that covered almost the entire population such that very few faced medical bills outside the reach of their income (or lack thereof).

I had a stent inserted to clear a clot that travelled to my heart from a knee injury - free (surgery, two and half days in hospital, follow up recovery and lifestyle advice appoints).

The ambulance cost more as I was between St John's Ambulance covers at the time, that was $500 which I was happy to pay (myself, my father, and multiple family members have all worked as volunteer ambulance drivers and paramedics over the years).

[mdhb]

Yes, that was the sad joke unfortunately. The hospital was genuinely world renowned but what good does that do you if you can’t afford to use it. You die… hence the difference in survival rates.

[mlrtime]

"Average Cancer Survival Rates by Country: United States: 68% (overall), UK: 63% (overall), Canada: 67% (overall), Australia: 70% (overall), and France: 65% (overall). " -google

You're not wrong, but this thread makes it sound like the US is completely backwards when it's off by 1-2% and higher than other "socialist" countries.