> It is certainly not an overstatement. As you say, France in not an exception in its organisation, in fact its health care system is LESS state-owned than, say, the UK's.

It is. Especially if you compare with the public spending/GDP collectively [1]. It is currently lower than USA and right in the average of OECD.

> You seem to actually agree that France has problems with its legislation and tax in the rest of your reply...

I totally agree with that. I disagree with the fact it is a taxe hell. In my experience, as a European who lived in several countries including France, it is in the average of Europe.

That said, I agree with you about the red tape / administrative burden.

[1]: https://data.oecd.org/chart/5Zub