> I've heard plenty of stories of people in those countries dying on the wait lists for things that sound urgent or mundane, like appendectomy surgery.
Emergency procedures like this wouldn't be put on a waitlist, you can just go to ER and settle administrative stuff later.
First of all, a problem should not have to take you to within an inch of your life to be treated.
Secondly, good luck with getting treatment in the ER! https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ont-teen-death-1.7616... Emergency rooms offer advanced first aid. They are not equipped to do specialist surgery. They have to call doctors in and stall you or even send you away until the proper care can be arranged.
That isn't even the case I was referring to. I've seen many stories and verbal accounts of people waiting for months for essential treatment in "universal healthcare" countries. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of how supply and demand works would expect long waits.
Emergency procedures like this wouldn't be put on a waitlist, you can just go to ER and settle administrative stuff later.