>>>>
>>>>http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/06/16/once-again-u-s-has-most-expensive-least-effective-health-care-system-in-survey/
>>>
>>>Mike, yes or no...did you read the entire article?
>>>
>>>Read the next to last paragraph.
>>
>>The 'Executive Summary' of the actual report is here : http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2014/jun/mirror-mirror
>>Full report at : http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/fund-report/2014/jun/1755_davis_mirror_mirror_2014.pdf
>>
>>Frankly, I'm surprised that the UK is top. If that's the best there is then everyone has a long way to go :-{
>
>I was quite impressed by the NHS during my time in England. Sure, it's not perfect, but what is? And isn't it still essentially free?

Pretty much. There are charges for dental work and a small charge for prescriptions (the latter in England but not in Wales which is a bit weird)
OTOH I think NHS spending accounts for about 15% of the UK budget (which equates to 15% of my tax bill).
I've been to a doctor twice in the last 30yrs - once when I cut my head, once for a tetanus jab - so I'm a long way from getting my moneys worth :-}
Also worth mentioning that, as a EU citizen, I'm also entitled to free health care in any member state.

Saw somewhere that the U.S. budget figure is 22% which sounds odd......

>I went there for an, uh, medical condition and they treated it without charge even though I wasn't even a British citizen. Doctors without borders indeed.

I don't think they even check entitlement if someone turns up with a relatively minor ailment. More serious or long term cases might be different.