As soon as this thread was created, I did not intend to keep up with it, because I figured it would be too hard to at the time. Ok, so I've now read most of the thread.
I agree with Tomorrow on Tort Reform. I don't think that by itself will be the end all, but a lot of the countries mentioned in this thread have NO fear of insanely ridiculous lawsuits.
I've known quite a few in the healthcare industry over the years, and I think of one ER doctor who just worked his azz off. His brother asked him, "Why work so hard?". His response was to build the nest egg for when he gets fukked over. This guy would also be wondering why the heck he is saving gansters lives as he works in a bad area, bullet ridden, when they're just going to do the same to others, or come back for a repeat visit.
Heck, many years ago, there was some an 18 y.o. who did not get accepted to Princeton. His father and grandfather graduated from there. Who did they blame? The OBGYN who delivered him 18 years prior, and that doctor lost nearly everything trying to defend himself.
Now, as for France being #1? I gotta look at that link, brb. Ok, 20 seconds later, I still don't find it, and I don't care right now. But, again, Tomorrow is on the money as for French health: diet. Europeans also just walk everywhere they go, so exercise too. This is a BIG ONE.
I used to live in France for a couple of years. I visited a friend in the hospital. People were smoking in the lobby!!! Sheesh. NONE of my friends owned a car. Ok, I remember one person now. We walked everywhere. Soon as I come back to the US, it's just a matter of time before I put some weight on.
But, here is a post I made on a previous healthcare thread, over a year ago, and most* of my thoughts haven't changed. Actually, I'm fine with national healthcare, but as pointed out by somebody here, it's about the execution. That's the scary part.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=407583&postcount=66