Why would they have to sell their homes to pay medical bills in Britain? The media always touts the NHS as free healthcare. You mean they are taxed like that and still have to pay medical bills? I thought free healthcare was the greatest? Edit: >> In the UK, the whole population is covered by the National Health System (NHS), which is financed through general taxation and run by the Department of Health. Despite this coverage, there is an increasing trend towards private care and coverage, with 12% of the population contracting additional private health insurance. I never knew(https://www.healthcare-economist.com/2008/04/23/health-care-around-the-world-great-britain/) 750,000 are on waiting lists for hospital admission; 40% of cancer patients are never able to see an oncologist; there is explicit rationing for services such as kidney dialysis, open heart surgery and care for the terminally ill. Further, minimum waiting times have been instituted to reduce costs. Now I do.