>I guess this thread is done. I apologize for trouncing your opinions of US health care costs with my personal example. I understand that it's difficult to fathom paying the equivilent of $0 for top notch health care, but that's what can happen with careful planning and sound investment.

And a great deal of luck, so you don't end up with unexpected medical costs. My husband had 2 ER visits and 5 days in the hospital this year (all within 2 weeks). Thanks to our insurance, our out-of-pocket cost was next to nothing, but the actual bills were unbelievable.

We've also both been through major medical issues in the past few years that involved many doctors' visits and tests, the kind of stuff that probably wouldn't count as catastrophic, but doesn't come cheap.

Tamar