It is slowly getting much worse in other countries too. There's
a heaven, and there's also a hell. We're probably somewhere in
between! 
Do you know that in the US, if your insurance cover is not
recognised / accepted by the hospital, even if it's an emergency,
they will refuse to allow the ambulance staff to let you off their
vehicle?
There are people who have DIED in the ambulances because they
couldn't get admitted to the nearest hospital because their
insurance cover isn't accepted by that hospital.
Worse, if the person's poor with no insurance, or a beggar. They
won't even get time of day! 
I believe it's an HMO system? Maybe, if MG's around, he can rectify
this.
Here, we take in ALL patients who are sent in to us by ambulance.
Yes, ALL. Foreigners included. Our policy is, treat and save lives
first, talk about the money later.
So, deathy, our "not-so-highly subsidised" healthcare system will
make sure that you and I will not die in the streets even if we do
not have a single cent in our pockets.
And even so, there are folks who abuse the system. I've heard
patients boasting to fellow patients that they can refuse to pay
their bills even if they can afford it, and the govt will have to
step in. 
That's a total abuse of
the system!!! 
