'Most' being the operative word. In the UK, the most basic of generic meds are this flat rate as are the latest targeted medications which could cost tens of thousands of pounds if bought with insurance.
Unless it's administered in a hospital, in which case it's free.
The whole US system seems designed to gouge as much money out of the 'consumer' as possible by confusing you. Similar to how we run trains the UK. Except if you miss a train, you won't die.
For most europeans (especially brits), how the US manages to continue to justify the existence of such a system is baffling.
We'd have to compare medication to determine whether that "most" is 51% or 99%.
I'm not saying it's better or worse, don't get me wrong.
Is there data out there that extrapolates Single-Payer tax revenue to relate to insurance premiums? We need that to really compare the overall costs.
I'd be interested in seeing that, because some days I'm all for adopting an "everyone gets it" mentality, especially if the costs are comparable. If I didn't have to deal with miscellaneous billing after the insurance pays them would negate the need for my mailbox.
However, as brought up in another comment of mine, I'd still like to be able to see someone same-day for something (employers too), even if it's non-life-threatening.
You're right, unfortunately I don't have that data. I can only give you my personal experience of the NHS.
The often portrayed boogieman of NHS waiting lists are usually incorrect. I saw my GP this morning after ringing up 20 minutes previously and had an appointment within the hour. I was in and out within 30 minutes with a prescription that was electronically sent to my pharmacist who had filled it before I arrived later today. The whole process cost me nothing, except for the prescription fee which is capped at £120 a year for the heaviest users.
Last week my wife ended up in A&E (what you call the ER). She was seen within 2 hours by a doctor who assessed her, triaged her, gave her some medications (which were free as they were in hospital) and sent her on her way. It's an insanely efficient system.
Primary care in the NHS (GPs, Emergency care) is usually pretty impressive despite what many tabloid papers say.
Secondary care can often have waiting lists but their length is legally enforced with the state having to pick up the tab for private care if wait times are longer than the legal maximum.
America seems to think this is the way to kill your population. It's really pretty great!
Everywhere you look there's just numbers supporting the cost of the whole system. If they were able to break that down into what a typical family pays, and compare; I'd bet you'd get even more people (gasp! Even conservatives, hell I'm almost on board myself) converted to the idea overnight.
