NHS vs US healthcare: How the UK and US systems really compare

When it comes to healthcare, the NHS, the UK’s publicly funded health service that provides care free at the point of use and the US healthcare system, a mix of private insurance, employer plans, and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid are worlds apart. One is built on the idea that health is a right. The other treats it like a product you buy. You don’t need a degree in economics to see the difference—just look at your wallet, your waiting room, or your neighbor’s medical bill.

The NHS doesn’t charge you at the point of care. No copays for GP visits, no surprise bills for emergency treatment. That’s not theory—it’s daily reality for 67 million people. Meanwhile, in the US, even people with insurance can get hit with bills over $10,000 for a single hospital stay. A 2024 study found nearly 40% of American adults skipped care because of cost. In the UK, that number is under 5%. The NHS isn’t perfect—waiting lists are long, staff are stretched thin—but it doesn’t leave people bankrupt just to get an X-ray.

The US healthcare system, a complex web of insurers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies spends nearly twice as much per person as the UK. Yet, life expectancy is lower, infant mortality is higher, and chronic disease management is worse. Why? Because profit drives decisions. A heart stent costs $3,000 in the UK. In the US, it can hit $30,000. That’s not inflation—that’s pricing power. And it’s why so many Americans fear illness, not because they’re weak, but because they know a single accident could wipe out their savings.

It’s not about who’s better—it’s about what you value. Do you want a system where everyone gets care, even if you wait a few weeks for a specialist? Or one where you get seen fast—if you can afford it? The NHS struggles with funding and staffing, but it doesn’t ration care based on income. The US system delivers cutting-edge tech and quick access—for those who can pay. Everyone else? They’re left choosing between rent and medicine.

What you’ll find below are real stories and hard data from Londoners who’ve lived through both systems. You’ll see how a broken tooth in the UK leads to a 6-month wait, while the same problem in the US might cost you a month’s rent. You’ll read about nurses who’ve seen patients die because they couldn’t afford insulin. And you’ll find out why, despite its flaws, the NHS still has the trust of 78% of Brits. This isn’t about politics. It’s about what happens when you treat health like a human right—or a commodity.