alt Hacker NewsLast year I had appendicitis in Italy, where I live. I called a cab to reach the nearest hospital, since I didn't feel so bad as warranting an ambulance. I got accepted, visited, transferred to the larger nearby hospital by ambulance, appendectomy, 4 nights stay, and I was provided with the drugs for the convalescence. When I was dismissed I took another cab back.
Total expense: ~25€ for the two taxi rides.
Very happy to pay my taxes, and very happy that when I don't need it myself, they go into financing the healthcare services for others that may or may not be able to pay out of pocket.
This sounds like a great deal if your annual taxes are less than your annual unsubsidized medical expenses, and a terrible deal if your annual taxes stretch into the six figure range as a young healthy person.