The government takes all the worst 40% of customers (the poorest and the old) out of the pot, socializes them - leaving the free market to profiteer on the cust

The government takes all the worst 40% of customers (the poorest and the old) out of the pot, socializes them - leaving the free market to profiteer on the customers who need the least care. The generally healthy 26-65 year olds should be pooled in. Medicaid requires you basically give up your house - and most health plans normal people have come with deductibles too high to actually use. So poor folks don't seek preventative care until it's too late, pushing up prices for everyone. The whole thing is unconscionable, and the price tag you point to is a function of massive structural inefficiency and not something to be proud of. Canada provides healthcare to 100% of the population for half the per-capita cost. Norway, 66% of the per capita cost. There is no true free market for healthcare, anywhere. A free market requires voluntary agreement between buyer and seller, but regional monopolies saying 'pay up or I'll let you bleed out on the floor' ain't it.