Firstly,this was in Australia,where people have two options for healthcare.....either get private health care insurance and then pay no taxes that go to the public system(essentially an 'opt out' clause),or go into the public system and pay extra tax.There is a good chance this was in a private hospital.
Secondly,you question whether the public should pay(if this were infact in a public hospital).If you put it to a democratic vote i think you'd be outnumbered.Then again if you were a governmentshrinker in Australia you'd pay for your own healthcare as many do so it wouldnt make an ounce of difference.