Any specific country you want to talk about?
I don't think badly of these systems in comparison to our current system, but there are more factors involved. Are the lines long? A few ranked higher than us are. Are they good economically? A few countries come to mind.
Now also may I ask about regulations? Cash payments instead of insurance?
Edit:
The U.S. has a spending problem right now, medicaid and medicare are doing well for us already! I would state regulation and government intervention has caused this problem.
Well, the two countries with which I have had the most first hand experience are the UK, and Australia. As I am a Brit, I will avoid discussing the NHS for fear of being labelled biased. So let's talk about Australia (which I suspect may have a system more likely to appeal to Americans anyway).
The Australian universal health care system is called Medicare (not to be confused with the US system). It is funded partly by general taxation, and partly by something called the Medicare Levy. The Medicare Levy is, in general, a modest 1.5% of taxable income, rising to 2.5% of taxable income above a certain level.
Full details of the Australian Medicare service is available here -
Medicare
But in general, it works like this -
You, or your parents, pay your income tax and Medicare Levy.
You get sick, and you go to the doctor of your choice.
He treats you or sends you to a specialist or hospital of your choice.
You get better, and you go home - there is nothing more to pay.
If you require pharmaceuticals post treatment, they are heavily subsidised.
The doctor, specialist, or hospital sends the government the bill, and receives payment in due course.
It really is that simple, and all the doctors, specialists, etc. are private practitioners.
But it is not perfect, inasmuch as it does not cover dental services, and only limited optical service - the cost of consultations, but not the cost of spectacles or contact lenses. It should be extended to cover both those items. Although Australians on an old age pension, a disability pension, or a veteran's pension, are eligible for free dental cover and spectacles.
In general, waiting lists are acceptably short, and any life threatening situations are treated immediately.
I don't understand your question - "
Now also may I ask about regulations? Cash payments instead of insurance?" Could you elaborate?
I have only given the briefest synopsis of the Australian UHC system, but most details are available on the link I provided. Australia is one of the most economically stable countries in the world at present, so UHC does not appear to have affected it adversely.