The real difference, of course, is that taxes will ensure you're covered even if you're low income.

[1]: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/1-in-5-americans-get-hit-w...

For example, Canadians going to https://surgerycenterok.com/

Here is another fact. The above has had transparency in prices since it was founded in 1990

Guess what also has not changed: the price that they charge for every single procedure since they were founded. In fact they technically charge less now because some procedures include additional services that were originally not part of the package.

So why is it that 1 clinic does not need to change pricing in 30 years, while everything else is increasing at 5-10% per year?

Hint: you dont have to throw away the baby with the bathwater. Its possible to have a system that is not going to bankrupt you and also at the same time not make you wait for 3 years for something you need today

Talking to low income folks, it's not the same as in other countries. They still have financial stress because of medical concerns.

Medicaid experience differs greatly depending on the state you're in. And how it compares with people who have the means to buy insurance also varies quite a bit.

There’s certainly variation in who can qualify, per State; some States are more generous than others. It’s debatable whether it makes sense to even consider the US as a whole, since it’s really a heterogenous collection of 50 self-governing sub-cultures. The Canadian healthcare system for eg is also provincial, with the Federal government providing minority financial support. It’s actually more Province-driven than Medicaid is State-driven, today.