Off the top of my head:

* 68% of all medical costs in the US are borne by governments (MediCare, Medicaid, VA, public-sector employee programs). They aren't allowed to negotiate drug prices in effective ways, driving up their costs

* Most health insurance in the US is employer-sponsored specifically because of Congress-created tax law. Without it, the individual market would probably be much healthier and more competitive.

* Congress is responsible for legislation that forces all emergency rooms in the US to provide life-saving care to any person, regardless of their ability to pay. @see EMTALA [1]

* "COBRA" [2] (pricy emergency health insurance coverage option after you leave an employer) was created by Congress.

* Governments set laws which define how and when litigation can be applied to medical workers + hospitals. Legislators could decide to enact tort reform, should they choose to.

* Governments control the medical licensing requirements and how graduates of medical institutions from other countries can work in US health care (they currently can't, for the most part).

* FDA and other government regulators control how fast new drugs come to market (and can effectively price some potential drug makers out of the market).

* Congress controls patent regulation

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Medical_Treatment_an...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_Omnibus_Budget_Re...