FWIW, semaglutide is available in Australia via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (part of the socialized healthcare system), when prescribed for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Which means it is cheap, because the government bulk-buys it at a negotiated price.
There are plenty of treatments that aren’t subsidized, but it’s not as restricted as it might be perceived. There’s very little whining about things not being covered, because most things are.
> FWIW, semaglutide is available in Australia via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (part of the socialized healthcare system), when prescribed for treatment of type 2 diabetes
Compare the "restriction" section of Ozempic vs metformin. Ozempic is absolutely not allowed to be prescribed as a first resort against type 2 diabetes. Contrast that with a lot of American private insurance, particularly at good employers, where restrictions are much looser. This performative generosity for common treatments, especially trendy ones, is why most people view their private insurance positively, much higher than the state of healthcare in the country.
There are plenty of treatments that aren’t subsidized, but it’s not as restricted as it might be perceived. There’s very little whining about things not being covered, because most things are.