Life down under

The UK health system continues to generate headlines and while much attention is focused on the NHS, some is also focused on public-private interaction and the degree to which it is acceptable or desirable. Meanwhile, private medical insurance (PMI) continues to make slow progress. But how do other countries fare? Australia has a 43% penetration of PMI and a government that not only acknowledges the private sector, but actively encourages it, so what can the UK learn? Firstly, there is the system. Since 1984, the Australian federal government has operated a 'Medicare' system, which co...