Sorry, I agree that is the analysis of the current system. I don't think we're disagreeing on facts here. What I was characterizing as backwards was that being

Sorry, I agree that is the analysis of the current system. I don't think we're disagreeing on facts here. What I was characterizing as backwards was that being considered a good public policy goal, as elaborated on in the rest of the paragraph. And sure, there are many metrics by which to evaluate a health care system. It feels like the US system is somewhere from poor to mediocre on most of them, and only excels in outcomes for the extremely rich (enough money to stomach paying for your own concierge doctor to diligently follow your case and make up for the system's failings). Which is why your succinct description of the government-induced supply shortage resonated with me, and why I keep coming back to the general condemnation of "the worst of both worlds". But it seems like you aren't spending enough effort reading my comments to get my substantive points.