All first world and many second world systems are more cost effective than the US healthcare system...

If we're looking for good examples, let's keep France and toss Canada. I maintain that Canada's system is one of the main reasons the US doesn't go single-payer. We're close enough to see how bad it is, and people assume all single-payer systems are like that. I'd rather have single-payer than the mess we have now, but not if we end up like Canada. Three months wait for an MRI? No prescription coverage? No mental health coverage? No thank you.

And the US system is one of the main reasons there's resistance to loosening single-payer in Canada. Wait times for MRIs (and other procedures) depends on need -- low priority cases will get bumped for more immediate issues. Psychiatrists _are_ covered under MSP (with a referral), although psychologists & counselors are (generally) not. But non-government insurance plans will often cover them as well as prescriptions and other non covered services. Such extended medical plans are often a work benefit (like in the US).