If you are looking for a "magic bullet" to convert the medical care system into something where market forces can take over again, I don't have one. However, we can do two things:

First, let's not get ourselves any deeper into the hole. Scrap future universal entitlements like prescription drug coverage in favor of a need-based welfare-type system to provide assistance only to those who really need it.

Second, encourage solutions like medical savings programs, and other concepts that require some form of financial input on the part of the patients. The idea needs to be burned out of Americans that medical care, unlike almost any other life necessity one can think of, should be unlimited and cost the patient nothing. Market forces have to be brought back into the system. Once they are, costs will start coming down. There's a reason they can charge you twelve bucks for an aspirin. You're not paying for it.

The alternative is either market forces, or government rationing. There is no third way.

Food is a necessity too, but it is not provided free by the state. The poor are supported with food stamps and other programs to help, but people don't go into a grocery store expecting to be able to walk out with their food needs for nothing. Imagine how "universal food care" would work. Would you go for the mac and cheese shelf, or the filet mignon? What would stop you?

I do agree that the momentum for socialized medicine is quite large. I hope it is not irreversible.