But that's exactly how a free market does work. It's exactly what any rational person would expect from a corporate free-for-all designed for maximum extractio

But that's exactly how a free market does work. It's exactly what any rational person would expect from a corporate free-for-all designed for maximum extraction potential based on maximising political power differentials. Good state-owned care smooths out the inequalities, so farmers in the middle of rural area will at least have affordable access to basic care, and more advanced care will be within easy travelling distance. This ends up being far cheaper for everyone who needs medical care - which is basically everyone. The only losers are profiteering shareholders. Of course you still pay for it, but you don't pay as much. And you won't be bankrupted by bills for which you either have no cover at all, or limited insurance cover which still leaves you with a huge sum.