The federal government hasn't even lifted a finger to control undergrad education costs. In British Columbia, Canada where I'm from, the government sets limits

The federal government hasn't even lifted a finger to control undergrad education costs. In British Columbia, Canada where I'm from, the government sets limits on student loan coverage (seems to be CA$520/week right now) and universities don't get anything more from student loans. When my student loan disbursement occured, the form explicitly had $5000 of "unmet need" that I would need to scrounge up somehow. If a universal healthcare system really wanted to, it could keep costs under control in a similar manner by telling hospitals to accept X amount for Y procedure or get bent. That the government doesn't swing its big dick on colleges in the US is entirely the fault of the government and a populace that always votes for "candy for dinner" vs. "eating vegetables".