I am an expat living in Europe also. My wife had very advanced breast cancer and was being treated in the US for 10 years, before we left and moved to France. The difference was enlightening, after all the years of hearing about the 'horrors' of socialized medicine.

It was quite the opposite, and the difference recast the US system as a horror show. After my wife's cancer had metastasized, we visited her oncologist on a varying schedule, sometimes every two weeks. The waiting room had room for 40 people and was always packed, the appointment time was never on-time, and the co-pays, even with great insurance, were a burden.

Worst of all, was her need for a full-time assistant to deal with the clerks at the insurance company, who decided what treatments she could have, and what weren't 'necessary' in their infinite wisdom. Here in France, the waiting rooms were significantly smaller, and the appointments noticeably on time, and whatever the doctor ordered for her was done without question. Because she had a 'long duration' health issue, we didn't have to pay for anything. Our total out-of-pocket for three years of impeccable care was 19 euros for some phone calls while in the hospital. At the end of her life, we chose home hospice care. The local hospital turned our bedroom into a modern hospital room, and she had three teams of two nurses who would come to our home, morning, noon, and night to care for her. Total cost 0.

One other point, that really put a focus on what's wrong with the US system, is the cost of drugs here. This occurred before we moved here, but were visiting for a month. She was taking a drug on a monthly basis to counteract bone loss due to the hormone treatments she was having. In the states, her visit for a quick hello from the oncologist, the drug itself, and the hypodermic needle was $10,000. In France, the same drug from the same company cost 300 euros and the needle was free.

It's criminal what passes for healthcare in the States.