i'm terrified when i think of americans with no health insurance; the system here is very good - i have had experience of emergencies (daughter injured in motorcycle crash, nephew with infantile necrosis, myself with gangrenous appendix (have a high pain threshhold; am not very sensitive to pain....)stroke, etc etc etc.  each dealt with immediately.  in general,you make an appointment with your doctor - he/she can either see you or if the doctor is busy, you make an appointment, but you will be seen.  your doctor has your info on file, ditto hospitals if local. you carry around a card which is your health number - give it at hospital reception, they take care of everything - you never usually see a bill. doctors here are not nearly as well paid - they're okay, professional income, but not filthy rich; dentists, maybe.  eye examinations every year - you can get dental if you have a dental plan (i don't...).  i don't think it's too different from yours - it's just very efficient and universal.  try it....