[Nateman]

Doctors will leave their practices...

Are you familiar with the term Brain Drain? It was invented by the British after professionals packed up their bags and left the country. That's what some Doctors will do. They will go overseas.

[xkaydet65]

The Brain Drain involved scientists and engineers who saw defense cutbacks in the UK impacting their lives. They were welcomed to the US and many wound up in NASA. But they were English coming to an English speaking country and so their cultural adjustment was lessened. They were also quite sought after by industry and the DoD.

American doctors could go to the UK or Canada, but they would find the same conditions they were trying to escape. They may not be well received by their colleagues. (many Brain Drainers weren't either). Where else where a US MD could uproot his family to? India, Singapore, Mexico? If the UK had a private health system I'd accept your argument.