Avi K,
Avram, who says that the general welfare would be promoted by socialized medicine.
And who says that universal healthcare has to be centralized, or even publicly administered?
In countries where this exists people clog up ERs and clinics with imaginary or minor illnesses just to talk to someone or simply because it is free.
Are you arguing about something real world, or are you making something up that sounds plausible to you? Your example is probably more apropos to a typical ER in the U.S.