Same in Switzerland. It's not perfect but it works very well. Nobody have to take a credit to pay for a hospital bill. It's a social insurance, so you pay for others, that's easily understandable. My mom and dad can go to the doctor and will pay a small part of the bills. They are both retired and live with the bare minimum but can still afford that.
These are private companies but regulated by the state for the most basic and mandatory coverage but they can sell additional and optional coverage for whatever price they want.
It sucks when you have to pay for it but it's like every insurance, you pay just in case some shyte happens and in the case of a social insurance, you pay for others.