This is categorically untrue. Private health insurance in Ireland is a few thousand Euro a year at most. Both my (retired) parents have it, and while they're not poor they're nowhere near rich, unless you count owning your own home and one car as 'very very rich'. See for yourself: http://www.hia.ie/ci/health-insurance-comparison/search-form...

I'm sure you could find some equivalent comparison page for health insurance in the UK, or examine offerings from BUPA, the leading firm in that market.