A couple of thoughts: 1. In the UK the number of people with private medical insurance was (a couple of years ago) around 12% (according to one source). I don'

A couple of thoughts: 1. In the UK the number of people with private medical insurance was (a couple of years ago) around 12% (according to one source). I don't know anyone who has it personally, I don't (and I can afford it). Do you know what the figures are for other European countries? 2. Is it possible that having a (relatively) cheap and functional state provided health care system keeps insurance costs down? If you're charging some large amount of money for health insurance and the alternative is effectively free* then you'd think that people wouldn't bother with it. * you pay for it anyway in taxes, it's not a lot of money, or it's free, depending on your income level.