> I wish we could have it both ways somehow: a baseline level of widely available cheap care and an expensive tier for people who'd pay anything to get quick care.
That is the case in most countries with universal healthcare.
Very few countries restrict your ability to pay extra for "top up" insurances and services.
E.g. in the UK about 10% have private insurance. These tend to be cheap because they basically expect you to use NHS for emergencies, and to try to go to your NHS doctor first, but ask for private referrals if there are waits on the NHS, or for "extras" like regular comprehensive checkups.
The NHS itself is also allowed to offer some extras. E.g. many NHS trusts runs private clinics to maximize utilisation.
That is the case in most countries with universal healthcare.
Very few countries restrict your ability to pay extra for "top up" insurances and services.
E.g. in the UK about 10% have private insurance. These tend to be cheap because they basically expect you to use NHS for emergencies, and to try to go to your NHS doctor first, but ask for private referrals if there are waits on the NHS, or for "extras" like regular comprehensive checkups.
The NHS itself is also allowed to offer some extras. E.g. many NHS trusts runs private clinics to maximize utilisation.