I have a theory that the optimal healthcare system is being able to have both. This is what makes Canada "good" at healthcare. They can pay for the emergencies and anything you can wait for, but for the expensive, life-altering treatments that the government is unwilling to pay for, you just hop down to America and give them a nice check. Too bad living in Canada means having to pay more taxes, live in worse climate, have immediate access to less businesses, and limited freedom of press.