I grew up in the era when the specter of "socialized medicine" and not "having your own doctor" was enough to stop any conversation about what we now call single payer health care system.  The emphasis was always on the lack of choice for the user of the system.  All these many years later, critics still drag out the stock phrases "Well, look at England!" or "Look at Canada!" to try to end conversations about changing the health care system in the United States.  My question is:  "Why should we limit ourselves to talking only about the British or Canadian models? "  

There are four main models of health care systems:  Beveridge, Bismarck, National Health Insurance, and Out-of-Pocket.  France, ranked as number 1 in health care  by the World Health Organization (although their methodology and criteria have been criticized) is considered to be of the Bismarck variety.  If you have a few moments I'd like to tell you a bit about our experiences with this model of single payer system.