I asked Mr Google if the French system covers everyone. The answer:
Yes, the French national health system, known as Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa), provides universal coverage to all legal residents, including expats, regardless of their age, employment status, or financial situation. This system ensures that everyone living in France has access to healthcare services
The data in that chart shows the US, with a per capita GDP of $82,697 spends $13,432 per person on health care. France, with a per capita GDP of $58,318, spends $7,136 per person on health care. We are paying what France pays, per person, plus over $6,000 per person gone to money heaven, but, for all we pay, we don’t receive universal coverage, like the French do.
The chart is at this link. Hover over each dot to see which country it represents, with their per capita GDP and health care spending data.
That’s definitely one thing we have as an advantage. We’re already used to paying an extraordinary amount for healthcare. Paying that same amount into universal care won’t be a sticker shock and will likely lead to a surplus.
During the panic (I’d argue that the panic is still with us) I sold some Jun 240 puts. They expired worthless. And over the years, ALL the puts I’ve sold on UNH have expired worthless (in 2023, I see that I sold some that were as high as 440 and 480 strikes!). If it drops more soon, I’ll probably sell some more puts.
My original purchases, and only purchases, of UNH were back in 2006 (share price in the 40s, but I sold them all for small short-term capital gains) and in 2008 (share prices in the 20s, lowest purchase was $20.05 on 10/8/08, and I held onto a few of these).
