I'm an ex-pat Aussie living in the UK. I can remember there was a voluntary "membership" for the Ambulance in Oz. An annual fee (fairly nominal if I remember correctly), which ensured you wouldn't get a bill for an enormous amount, (couple of hundred A$) after you had been ferried to hospital. While appreciating not every would be in favour of this, I thought it was a good system, as I was financially supporting an essential service, and could call for help if needed. Thankfully never had to. I believe pensioners were exempt from the fee. Let's face it though, the same problems exist for Health Systems, no matter where you live!