I disagree with you on why this. The real reason why our buget is more per person is because our health care system is always on the cuting edge of technology. The mojority of procedures and drugs are created for our private system. The then latter benefits other single pay systems when cost comes down through generics. Not to say that there is no cutting edge technology in single pay systems. But no where is near as in America.

Wow... bit of a necro-thread but I didn't respond then and seeing it's still a bit relevant..

I'm a consultant, specifically one who works in healthcare. Most hospitals get funded through insurance here, who get a lot of reimburstment from the government. All in all I pay 100 a month, and get 50 or so back and I'm additionally insured for dentist costs etc.

The efficiency and quality is also rather high now that competition from the market has been introduced.