American TikToker roasted after he slammed Australians for claiming our healthcare system is free

An American man who rejected the idea that health care is free in Australia has been vilified by Australians who rushed to defend our government-subsidized system.

The TikToker known as E Jones discussed how Australia’s healthcare system is funded by taxpayers in a video uploaded on Sunday, taking a swipe at those who claimed it was ‘free’.

“Only in Australia could I make a video complaining about the price of beer and be attacked by Australians saying, ‘At least we have free healthcare,’” he said.

“Nothing is fucking free,” he said.

The American, who appears to visit Australia regularly, said Australia’s healthcare system is designed to trick people into thinking the cost of receiving medical care is free – even though citizens ultimately pay for it through their taxes.

He also reminded Australians that many health workers are leaving their jobs due to complaints that they are underpaid.

“If all these taxes you pay should go to that ‘free health care,’ someone did the wrong thing [it] drastically,” he said.

“I’ve seen several cars where nurses want to strike and I’ve seen the damn ambulance driving around with the damn windows rolled down about how they’re being treated….”

The video received thousands of comments from Australians, who were outraged by his understanding of Australia’s healthcare system.

‘You [the US] in case of emergency, charge $8,000 per 12 hours. We pay $0. You lose,” someone responded.

“Our minimum wage is triple yours. We have a compulsory pension, we receive sick pay and 4 weeks of annual leave. I think we’re doing well,” someone else wrote.

Australia offers universal health care through Medicare, which covers some or all of the costs of necessary health care. The scheme is financed from tax revenues

“Our health care system is much better than the US. Taxes are an important way to provide for society. I don’t mind paying taxes to have health care for our country,” a third added.

The man hit back at those who complained about the huge bills patients have to pay to undergo emergency surgery in America.

“My dad’s partner broke his leg in the US and it cost him $44,000,” one person wrote.

“Did he have insurance?” the man replied.

One Australian said primary healthcare is more affordable in Australia than in the US.

‘When I was in America it cost me $350 to go to a doctor and get an asthma inhaler because they are not available over the counter compared to [Australia] where I pay $9 at a pharmacy,” the commenter wrote.

“You’re not a citizen either, so yes, you would pay more,” the man replied.

The American, who appears to visit Australia regularly, said Australia’s healthcare system is designed to trick people into thinking the cost of receiving medical care is free – even though citizens pay for it through their taxes.

Australia offers universal health care through Medicare, which covers some or all of the costs of necessary health care.

Introduced by Bob Hawke’s government in 1984, Medicare covers the costs of GPs bulk-billing consultations and part of the costs of seeing specialists.

The scheme also provides Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents with access to dozens of prescription medicines administered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS).

The government-funded scheme ensures that the costs of these medicines remain affordable.

The scheme is funded by the Medicare Levy imposed on taxpayers which currently amounts to two percent of taxable income (discounts and exemptions are available).

There is no universal health care system in the United States. Instead, it consists of a famously complex “blended” system of publicly funded Medicare and Medicaid in addition to private health insurance.

The result is that a patient with a broken leg can pay up to $7,500 for treatment, while the average cost of a three-day hospital stay could potentially cost around $30,000, according to the US government’s healthcare website.

By comparison, in Australia, even privately insured patients can claim up to 75 percent of the cost of their treatment and surgery through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.