In a welfare state, you need to pay very high tax; in many such countries at least 50% of people’s incomes go into government’s pockets in the form of income tax, council tax, VAT, wheel tax, road tax, congestion tax, cigarette tax, alcohol tax, inheritance tax, this tax, that tax.

Theoretically, in a welfare state, because you paid huge amount of taxes to prop up the welfare system, you are entitled to get free treatment if and when you fall ill. But as you are to get a free treatment (1) you have to wait (2) the services are not that good and (3) usually there’s little choice.

If your condition is not life-threatening, you have to wait one or two weeks to see a GP. Then wait many more months to get a chance to see a specialist; even then you cannot go to any specialist of your choice, you have to be satisfied with GP’s referral. If you need a surgery, you may wait one year.

On the other hand, if there’s no welfare state, people pay less tax. So can save money. With money they can buy properties, the prices of which will increase with time. With money, stocks and shares can be bought, which will give dividends. Or, the money can be deposited into a saving account; with time interests will accumulate.

So with saved money, when one falls ill, one can pay for a private treatment and get treated immediately. And when you are paying for your treatment, you are the boss, you have choices. You can demand a treatment good enough for the money you paid.