I live in a 3rd world country, and we have universal health care. It doesnt matter if you are poor and cant pay: if you have a heart attack, a ambulance will take you to the hospital, and you will have treatment. Well, you will not have 5 star treatment, with naked nurses and stuff, maybe you even have a room, but hey, this is a 3rd world country! They will ask you (or look in your wallet) if you have some private-insurance, and take you to a private hospital if you do.
If all the public hospitals are full, the private ones WILL accept you, and the government will pay then later.
Of course, it has some flaws. If you need som exam, u may wait for months (it depends on what state you are, some are better than others)... but if you have diseases like diabets, heart problems and stuff like that, you will have FREE medication, for the rest of your life.