Is citing US healthcare horror stories a case of too much “copium” by the UK?

Short answer, yes. The NHS is one of the worst cost adjusted healthcare systems in the world. Countries that get the outcomes we do pay less, and every country that pays what we pay gets better outcomes. (There are of course places that spend less and get less, or spend more and get more, but no one spends what we spend and get as little back as we do). The NHS has some areas it scores very well in - access is wide if rationed, access to emergency care is pretty good, and it's not bad at handling long term chronic conditons. That said, those areas where it's maybe above average, at major cost. That's not to say the US system is better, its also terrible just in a different way. US health outcomes are generally better, as is the quality of care. But its preposterously, excessively, expensive. (The US is in the "pay more get more" camp vs the UK). What that does mean though, as you note, is that if you can *afford* US healthcare through a combination of good insurance, possibly through work, and a strong income, your actual outcomes will likely be better in the US than via the NHS in the UK. The old maxim of "its better to be rich in America and poor in Europe" continues to hold true. What's happening over time though as the US economy continues to grow and the European / UK economies continue to stagnant, is the cut off point is shifting. 30 years ago it was maybe top 10% are better off in the US, the bottom 50% are better off in the UK, and the upper middle 40% are much of a muchness. Now its maybe more like top 30% are better off in the US, middle 30% are about the same, and bottom 40% are better off in the UK. In another 30 years time it may well be its only the bottom 10% better off in Europe, with the top 60% or more better off in the US. If you really want a functioning healthcare system though, look at say France or South Korea.