Comment by wat10000

It sounds like you’re talking about what you want, and I’m talking about how I think things are. I don’t see a wealthy country being able to do anything other than some form of universal care with heavy government involvement in the industry to make it happen. There’s nothing preventing it in terms of economics or technology, I just don’t think people will accept it.

Most of these systems do allow that sort of patient agency for those who can afford it, though. Maybe you had a weird specialist who didn’t want to see you earlier, but there are plenty of doctors who will go beyond your insurance coverage in exchange for cash.