Yes, there is universal health care in the UK but the standard of healthcare has fallen IMHO.

I personally know one guy who had to wait six months for an operation to deal with cancer of the prostate and was finally looked after in a private hospital at the expense of the National Health. I waited close on to 18 months for a bunion, which was virtualy crippling me, to be dealt with. I know other UK catters have had the same problem. In certain areas it is impossible to get onto a dentist's National Health list.

I would guess that, in common with the States, too much of our tax money is going to fund the war in Iraq, not being used for the benefit of the British people.