[pitaj]

The free market, where competition is involved, produces companies that serve the interests of consumers in the most efficient way.

The current healthcare environment is not a free market, government is involved heavily at every level. Which is the main reason it sucks.

[DrMagnus]

This is an oft-repeated sentiment, which I've never seen actually happen. The free market pursues profit. Not customer needs. The most "efficient" thing to do is fleece customers when they're at their most needy: when it's either pay up or die.

How do you explain all of the successful socialized medicine in other countries, if government involvement = healthcare sucks?