[Serious] Redditors in places with universal healthcare: What is universal healthcare really like?

I have schizophrenia. I spent a lot of time in hospitals back when I lived in France for tests, checkups, psychiatrist appointments, etc. All free, and I got my diagnosis within two months of starting the process, despite needing over 15 different appointments. Virtually no wait time, I had weeks where I had one appointment a day. The entire diagnosis process cost 0 euros, of course. The therapy and medicine were also entirely free (I paid 4 euros out of pocket for one month's worth of Abilify medicine, but the government reimbursed me). Things were just great.

Then I had to move to the US for personal and professional reasons. Here, the exact same pills in the exact same box cost $987/month, and even shopping around with specialized website to find "cheap" medicine imported from Canada never brought the price under $700/month. I also couldn't afford therapy anymore. So for a year now, I have gone cold turkey on treatment, not taking medicine and not seeing a professional. I make due because I have to, but I really hate the health care system here.

/r/AskReddit Thread