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Covid-19: Australian state considering charging unvaccinated for health care

In Australia, as in many other parts of the world, Covid-19 is putting the health care systems under strain. Now, the country's most populous state, New South Wales, has just recorded a new daily record for infections, and is considering charging unvaccinated people for hospital costs. This has led to widespread criticism.

The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Phil Mercer explains that, according to some politicians, unvaccinated people being treated for Covid-19 in public hospitals have been "irresponsible" and have imposed a "financial burden" on tax payers, and that charging specific patients would be a departure from Australia's system of universal health care. Doctors believe it would represent a loss of compassion and humanity, and is unethical, and could harm disadvantaged communities.

Photo: Health care worker in a hospital in Sydney, NSW, Australia Credit: Getty Images

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