Let's look at the service. First, six minutes for an ambulance to arrive is pretty normal here as well and doesn't reflect any major difference, but let's talk about elective surgery (versus emergency). If you needed a hip replacement, how long would it take for you to get an appointment. This is personal for me because my father just had hip replacement surgery last year. He was able to go to the doctor for initial consultation, set up the appointment, and have the surgery all within a week. In Canada for example, the waiting list for hip replacement is six years.
There are also fundamental issues. For example, when you say ‘healthcare’ is a right, why stop there? Why not housing. It isn't fair that some don't have homes while others have homes, should everyone just share home costs? How about a car? How about income?
Now, going back to your friend.. guess what, in the US, if he didn't have insurance, hospitals are still required to take care of him in an emergency, so insured or not insured, he would have been helped- without universal coverage.
This is just one small comment on some of the differences.. I'm sure many others will jump in..
No no no! Though I can understand your error. Our tax system is painfully difficult to understand. 0-6000 pounds is tax free, 6-12000 is 10p, 12-24000 (about) is 21p, 24-36000 is 38 or so. You only pay it on the relevent part of your wage. so for the first 6000 you pay nothing, for the second 6000 you pay 10p (per pound, 10%), the next 12000 you pay 21p on the pound. ETC. It’s all staged, you are not taxed on the top rate for your pay on all of your pay. I hope that’s clear as it can be!