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Oh man–everything about having a baby is better in Australia. The care is better, the cost is less, the nurses much more sensitive and communicative, they don’t rush you out of the hospital, all the hospitals have birthing centers. Not to mention the 6 months to a year maternity leave that many people there enjoy. Makes us look like chumps in some ways.
wasder – I forgot to point out that there is a dual public / private system in Oz, but sounds like you already knew that. I had no experience with the public system. As an expat I wasn’t entitled to use it and would have stuck with private anyways.
The childbirth experience was amazing. Wife gave birth in a fabulous birthing center in Melbourne. They had a deal with the Melbourne Sofitel where the day after giving birth the patient and baby would be transferred to a special floor of the hotel where they had round-the-clock medical staff. So the four days of post-birth rest (yup, four days) were at the Sofitel eating from the room service menu and sleeping in a big comfy bed. I forget the total cost but it was probably about what an ambulance ride costs in NYC.
Biffers—you are going to be fine. I can totally relate to the internet fears. I am a total hypochondriac myself and looking at the internet for health advice just makes me crazy.
Some of my best friends in hong Kong were Aussies. certainly my best drinking buddies.
Who was the Aussie guy who was on here posting a lot in 2008??? I actually met him when we did the food booth at SOLA for Butternur market that summer.
I’m already scheduled to direct rob in a film, “Fauxdega.” About him traversing the city trying to unload some porn DVDs and having random encounters with New Yorkers.
I’ve heard that folks go overseas for dental work too (I think it is Hungary). I’ve heard that the savings in the fees more than makes up for the cost of the trip. Quality dental work and a vacation thrown in. Not a bad deal.
Lech–got you. My father in law carries private insurance there but he also was telling me the difference in price between the hip replacement he had there and what it would cost here and it was thousands of dollars cheaper there. So yeah, maybe the legal aspect has something to do with it.
But that is the reason why I don’t understand why people keep saying our current reform is a government grab. Anyone that can afford it will keep their private insurance. Maybe part of our health care reform can go towards reform of the malpractice system.
Oh man–everything about having a baby is better in Australia. The care is better, the cost is less, the nurses much more sensitive and communicative, they don’t rush you out of the hospital, all the hospitals have birthing centers. Not to mention the 6 months to a year maternity leave that many people there enjoy. Makes us look like chumps in some ways.
wasder – I forgot to point out that there is a dual public / private system in Oz, but sounds like you already knew that. I had no experience with the public system. As an expat I wasn’t entitled to use it and would have stuck with private anyways.
The childbirth experience was amazing. Wife gave birth in a fabulous birthing center in Melbourne. They had a deal with the Melbourne Sofitel where the day after giving birth the patient and baby would be transferred to a special floor of the hotel where they had round-the-clock medical staff. So the four days of post-birth rest (yup, four days) were at the Sofitel eating from the room service menu and sleeping in a big comfy bed. I forget the total cost but it was probably about what an ambulance ride costs in NYC.
There was a cool Aussie guy living right around the corner from me. He moved last year. Might have been him. Trying to remember his posting name…
lech – check your email (for real)
Biffers—you are going to be fine. I can totally relate to the internet fears. I am a total hypochondriac myself and looking at the internet for health advice just makes me crazy.
Some of my best friends in hong Kong were Aussies. certainly my best drinking buddies.
Who was the Aussie guy who was on here posting a lot in 2008??? I actually met him when we did the food booth at SOLA for Butternur market that summer.
I’m already scheduled to direct rob in a film, “Fauxdega.” About him traversing the city trying to unload some porn DVDs and having random encounters with New Yorkers.
I’ve heard that folks go overseas for dental work too (I think it is Hungary). I’ve heard that the savings in the fees more than makes up for the cost of the trip. Quality dental work and a vacation thrown in. Not a bad deal.
Lech–got you. My father in law carries private insurance there but he also was telling me the difference in price between the hip replacement he had there and what it would cost here and it was thousands of dollars cheaper there. So yeah, maybe the legal aspect has something to do with it.
But that is the reason why I don’t understand why people keep saying our current reform is a government grab. Anyone that can afford it will keep their private insurance. Maybe part of our health care reform can go towards reform of the malpractice system.
Thanks for explanation. Love the Aussies!