While this is simplistic to the point of distortion, European governments do differ in their principle approaches to providing health care.
Most European countries guarantee equal and universal access to health care through national policy.
Underlying these policies is a sense that all members of the society share in the effects of good healthcare. Programs are financed through a combination of taxation and contributions by employers and employees. The relative mix may vary from country to country but most use this overall combination. Some countries are experimenting with private institutions and personal savings plans. In a surprise to many Americans, Europeans in most countries have almost complete freedom of choice in their providers.