Writing in the Dallas Morning News, Jim Landers paints a largely favorable picture of the French health care system. Here is the other side:

Many liberal Americans are convinced that the French system is the be-all and end-all solution to health care costs in the United States.

Elizabeth Dutertre….. was told it would take two years before her surgeon could schedule her at a public hospital. She went instead to a private hospital, where her surgeon operated within three weeks. At discharge, she got a bill for 350 euros, or about $465.

"They immediately wanted a check – no Visa card, no American Express," she said. "If you can afford the out-of-pocket expense, you get quicker, better care."