My late husband and I lived in London England in the 1990s. My husband worked as a molecular biologist at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine. I worked as a caseworker in one of Europe's largest homeless shelters for men - Arlington House. I was required to obtain T.B. testing and a number of vaccinations prior to working with this population. Thus I was introduced to Britain's National Health System.

It was easy for me to get an appointment to see a doctor (general practicioner - G.P.). I chose who our doctors would be out of the list of G.P.s available in our neighborhood - choosing two women in practice together - one older with more practical experience, one young fresh out of medical school so having the latest knowledge. I met them for the first time when I went to get my TB test and vaccinations required for my job, and I was pleased with both physicians.

I could have chosen any number of other physicians. One's choice is limited only by who is practicing in one's neighborhood and which hospital is in one's area. We had many GPs from which to choose.

I like that Britain's National Health Service provides well baby care in the mother's home. Though we did not have children, some of our friends did. The new mother was visited weekly in her home by a trained medical professional, who helped her with all concerns and issues around the new baby. Therefore problems such as baby not nursing correctly or getting sick were caught early so baby could be well taken care of. We don't have that in America - one reason for our mediocre ranking on infant healthcare and mortality.

The very few times my husband or I wished to see the doctor, WE SIMPLY PHONED AND SAW THE DOCTOR THE NEXT DAY. Once when my mother visited us from America and tripped on the sidewalk, our doctor saw her the same day.

All medications, at that time, were about 4.50 pounds sterling for a one month supply (roughly $7 to $8). Anyone over 65 years of age does not pay out of pocket for medicines. NO ONE, WHATEVER THEIR AGE, PAYS OUT OF POCKET FOR DOCTOR VISITS OR HOSPITAL STAYS.

The one time we had a serious medical emergency was my husband's brain aneurysm that occurred while we were at a play in London's West End. My husband was transported by EMS, admitted into the National Neurological Hospital (the UK's premier acute hospital for brain injuries), and was eventually transferred to the Royal Free Hospital. He was hospitalized for one month total, including time in intensive care.

WE RECEIVED NO BILLS, WHATSOEVER, FOR THIS MEDICAL CRISIS. Not one hospital, ambulance nor doctor bill. Nor any bills for all the outpatient follow ups with specialists.

How this single payer health care system is funded is through a deductable from our paychecks (at least, what we noticed). Everyone pays. Before my husband's brain injury, I used to mildly complain that we are paying for a health care system we will rarely use, and never for anything serious. I had no qualms about the deductable from our paychecks after I saw how this single payer system kicks in to help us in our time of need. It is a great blessing.

MEANWHILE IN AMERICA, last year my late husband's sister's husband became blind from a fast growing cataract - a medical condition that is rare and runs in his family. He lost his employment. He could not afford to see any doctors. Could not afford cataract surgery. His employers ( a furniture store that never offered health insurance) told him he could have his job back once he could see again.

That is nuts! My brother-in-law, Wayne, had worked since he was a teenager. Now in his 40s, he was blind, laid off from his job, and could not afford to pay for the cataract surgery he needed to restore his sight. It was almost a year before Wayne's eyesight was restored through the help of a humanitarian organization. And once he could see, he went back to work.

But look at the comparison between two American men - one living in Britain, the other in the USA - and how each countries' health care system treats them. IN AMERICA, AN AMERICAN GOES BLIND. THERE IS A SURGERY THAT CAN FIX THIS QUICKLY. BUT BECAUSE HE LIVES IN THE USA - where greed and profit drive our country's health care system - HE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE CATARACT SURGERY THAT WOULD RESTORE HIS SIGHT. If he'd lived in France or the United Kingdom, affordability wouldn't have been an issue. He would have had his surgery.

When one is seriously ill, one needs all one's strength to endure the illness, rather than worry about the cost of that illness. Much less not be able to afford to do anything about that illness. Such is a horror avoided with the marvelous blessing of a National Health Service, which all civilized Western countries provide, EXCEPT IN AMERICA - where worry and bankruptcy is all too often the plight of the hard working American who becomes gravely ill or injured.

I have little patience with those who say a single payer system would ruin American health care. It would not. We Americans already have the best military force, excellent fire fighting services, great libraries, law enforcement departments, efficient Interstate Highway system - all funded by the public. It is high time we get our Health Care system funded by the public too. I know our American know-how, ingenuity, intelligence and determination would make an American National Health Service the envy of the world (as France's is the envy of the world now - rated Number One by the World Health Organization.)

Don't tell me that America can't do as well as France. Yes, we can and we must!

Emily Claire Kostrubala