>The model works very well in most European countries.
Regardless of its effectiveness, single-payer is not the norm in "most European countries". Americans naturally get exposed most to the UK and Canada and so think that their single-payer systems with zero/minimal cost on delivery are what "everyone else" uses, but it's not true. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are among those that mandate getting one of dozens/hundreds of private plans (basically Obamacare without exemptions). Australia has a government-run plan, but *strongly* encourages people to move to private plans. France has three big nonprofit plans for the entire country, with 30% copayments (akin to a US high-deducctible plan, without the corresponding HSA). Etc., etc.
Regardless of its effectiveness, single-payer is not the norm in "most European countries". Americans naturally get exposed most to the UK and Canada and so think that their single-payer systems with zero/minimal cost on delivery are what "everyone else" uses, but it's not true. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are among those that mandate getting one of dozens/hundreds of private plans (basically Obamacare without exemptions). Australia has a government-run plan, but *strongly* encourages people to move to private plans. France has three big nonprofit plans for the entire country, with 30% copayments (akin to a US high-deducctible plan, without the corresponding HSA). Etc., etc.