The US has much to learn and less than it thinks to fear from studying the European provision of healthcare. A May 20th feature in Time Magazine started out upbeat enough.

But interestingly, in a piece intended to inform Americans wading into the healthcare debate, Time left out some key details.

Europeans spend less-- about $4,000 a person less, in some cases -- than Americans on health care, Time pointed out, "And often with better outcomes."

How? Writer Eben Harrell lifted up some "relatively simple measures".

In Denmark, for example, there are no clipboards -- doctors carry nifty wireless computers to call up records of patients. The early adoption of electronic health records by a tech-savvy citizenry saves money and lives... Great.

Germany puts more emphasis on disease prevention. Doctors and dieticians collaborate, share information, prioritize keeping people healthy.

The British only approve drugs considered cost-effective -- fancy that.

The French maintain one of the highest rates of doctors per capita in the world, guaranteeing patients choice... Well, you get the idea...

Sounds good. Much of it sounds lovely. Great information, interesting details. It's amazing what you can do without a profit motive, and some nationally-set health policies and technology.

One thing that Time fails to note in the context of the US debate -- all the countries mentioned have SINGLE-PAYER, non-profit, healthcare for their people. The same kind that Americans are told is off the table. A little detail worth mentioning? Maybe.