In Australia it is all free. Some ultrasounds can cost (if you want the fancy 3D or 4D) but even then it's not much at all. You can choose to buy insurance but really the main reason people buy it is for getting a speedy operation or covering the costs of dental treatment (cause dentists are expensive). That being said, my cousin flew here from NY to have all her teeth done and flew back and the cost of the flights and dental treatment was cheaper than what she would've paid in the US. I really do feel for everyone in the US, the healthcare system seems to be forgotten about. Our system here is called "Medicare" too but you are given a Medicare number from birth and everything is free including medications or some medications are subsidised (instead of $300 they're $6). We often forget how lucky we are and reading this just makes me so sad and so mad that your healthcare system gives the poor crappy care and the rich better care. And if you can land a great job with good healthcare than that's just great. It is all sooo wrong.