It does. Our healthcare is subsidised by the government. A visit to the doctor isn’t free, though - as most (almost all) doctors charge more for a consult than what the government covers. Someone struggling financially as much as the author of this article should be eligible for a Health Care Card though, which should give an almost 100% discount on all things medical.
I don’t know that the point of the article was healthcare specifically, or more of a “people are poor, yo!” piece. Because ultimately there are times where people do genuinely struggle financially and may not avail themselves of all the support services the government provides, because they see their circumstances as temporary, or are too embarrassed to admit they need help or other personal reasons.
It’s a bit about the psychology of poverty as well, in that the societal view of being poor has an undercurrent of victim blaming, and individuals often absorb that and feel a sense of guilt and shame for something that isn’t their fault. Even more so with people on welfare, although the article didn’t address that directly.
I know that for myself, when I’ve been between jobs (sometimes for a month or two at a time) over the years, I haven’t bothered dealing with Centrelink etc, because the dole wouldn’t even cover my rent. I just lived off savings and got myself back out there. Also had help from family a couple of times.
It does. Our healthcare is subsidised by the government. A visit to the doctor isn’t free, though - as most (almost all) doctors charge more for a consult than what the government covers. Someone struggling financially as much as the author of this article should be eligible for a Health Care Card though, which should give an almost 100% discount on all things medical.
I don’t know that the point of the article was healthcare specifically, or more of a “people are poor, yo!” piece. Because ultimately there are times where people do genuinely struggle financially and may not avail themselves of all the support services the government provides, because they see their circumstances as temporary, or are too embarrassed to admit they need help or other personal reasons.
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It’s a bit about the psychology of poverty as well, in that the societal view of being poor has an undercurrent of victim blaming, and individuals often absorb that and feel a sense of guilt and shame for something that isn’t their fault. Even more so with people on welfare, although the article didn’t address that directly.
I know that for myself, when I’ve been between jobs (sometimes for a month or two at a time) over the years, I haven’t bothered dealing with Centrelink etc, because the dole wouldn’t even cover my rent. I just lived off savings and got myself back out there. Also had help from family a couple of times.