health arrangements again

[mazza]

I have read so many article about the situation regarding medical treatment in France that I am utterly confused.
As I understand it, private health insurance is no longer legal in France (yet the French embassy in London recommend it on their website and on the phone). As I understand, one has to pay 8% of taxable income to the CMU and this covers 70% of the cost.I understand top up insurance is still legal to cover the other 30%.

Whilst this is fine by me once we are earning an income, for the first year or two we will not have any income and will be living off our savings. Does this mean that we are not able to use the health service should one of us become ill? or that we use it but have to pay the full cost? or what?

somebody said the form E106 could be used, but I read somewhere on one of these forums that this has now been outlawed/removed too.

can anybody shed any light on this for us? I dont mind paying for cover either privately or to the CMU, but worry what happens about cover during the first two years while I am not earnign/paying.
I would be grateful for any advice on this as I find it frustrating that everyone says something different and even the embassy don't seem to know.
Maria