I live in a country with single payer (Australia).
I've never had to wait for an elective procedure because I can choose to privately pay for care on a schedule more convenient to me. I have private health cover which tries to compete on this basis.
But if I had any emergency needs, then I'd be treated immediately at any hospital by the public system, which I pay into with taxes. And the waiting list for those elective procedures, if I couldn't afford private care, is a priority list - based on need.
The idea that shortages don't exist in the US is absurd - sure they do, you can't afford critical care then you just don't get it. The US waiting list is infinite.
I've never had to wait for an elective procedure because I can choose to privately pay for care on a schedule more convenient to me. I have private health cover which tries to compete on this basis.
But if I had any emergency needs, then I'd be treated immediately at any hospital by the public system, which I pay into with taxes. And the waiting list for those elective procedures, if I couldn't afford private care, is a priority list - based on need.
The idea that shortages don't exist in the US is absurd - sure they do, you can't afford critical care then you just don't get it. The US waiting list is infinite.