Only in America: I am terrified of single-payer systems as implemented in socialist countries. Can this happen in the US?

Of course, be afraid of health and well-being, by all means. The damned “socialists” running the National Health Service of the U.K. saved my eyesight while my highly rated coverage here in the U.S. almost blinded me! My very highly rated coverage here in the U.S., paid for by my employer, still charged me for each visit and procedure, on top of what they received. My exams and treatment in London? Free – even my initial Rx was free, because they had samples in the exam room. If I had to pay for the Rx, it would have been £5.00 out of pocket ($7.50 at the time). Under my current coverage, I pay about $50 a month for just my eye medicines, not including heart medication, etc.

But of course, those damned socialists come between you and your doctor, right? Well, no. I walked in without an appointment for the equivalent of what in the states is “urgent care.” No record, no file. So, just like in the U.S., I had to fill out a form – damned bureaucracy! But in the States, that form can be 25 pages, while the damned socialists only had one page and 5 questions! Name, address, phone number, emergency contact, reason for visit. And the wait! Well, right away a “triage” nurse interviewed me in a little room. She sent me back to the waiting area, and before I could enjoy the magazine, that damned socialist doctor interupted me and saw me right away! When I returned to the states, I followed the instructions I receved in the UK, and saw a specialist right away, who was more concerned with me not having too many visits for treatment. In great distress only a few days later, my medical coverage “gate-keeper” insisted that I just saw a doctor, and had a follow-up in 30 days, so that was that. Knowing how serious my condition was (they told me in London) I fought and threatened, and after two hours of phone calls, they “let” me see a specialist who told me had I wait less than a full day, I would be blind. So yes, be afraid – be very afraid of the fact that we don’t, and likely won’t, have a decent “socialist” system that puts people above profits.