Just to correct a couple of assumptions about the UK National Health Service; General practitioners ('family doctors') do indeed have to buy their practices in the UK, as they are set up as independent contractors to the NHS. Hospital doctors are partially salaried, but are free to develop whatever private practice they wish, and they have to fund premises, staff etc. for this practice.
In a recent comparison, UK doctors were described as the best rewarded (financially) in the developed world.
Also; US healthcare is no longer a world leader in all areas of clinical practice and research (though it remains high on the list); much important work is now done in countries where costs are lower, such as the former Soviet states, China and India. This is particularly true in pharmaceutical development.
Hope this helps to inform a good debate.
Tim