Medicare is a major national achievement. But it is permanently under threat from vested interests, particularly in the current economic climate. Common good' is taken to be some sentimental notion of universal welfare that needs to be cut to make Australia 'internationally competitive'. Medicare has problems that are common to all health systems in the developed world. The growth of technology has meant that life can be prolonged significantly, provided there is enough money.
Death always wins in the end.
The danger is that the bulk of health spending will be in the last 6 months of peoples' lives making modern health systems an expensive way of dying and not cost-effective in terms of allocation of national resources. Doctors are not always good at controlling this problem, as they argue that only by striving will they improve their skills and results. Patients want as much care as possible, and the technology and drug companies are keen on as many sales as possible. Medicare has Strong and Persistent Enemies 1. Private Health Insurers.