> Healthcare in the US is definitely not driven by the free market.

You're conflating 'capitalism' with 'free market'. You can have either without the other and OP was calling out 'capitalism' specifically.

Free market? Capitalism. I know we're on HN but, say the word? Capitalists take a cut. Shareholders of big pharma, insurance companies and hospitals are why healthcare in the US is expensive. Public sector not being monopolistic is why healthcare in the US is expensive. In France, social security reimburses about 70% of most costs. Cheap private insurance reimburses the rest. About 75% of public hospitals and not for profit. Generic medicine being prescribed is the norm. The state naturally fixes healthcare prices because it's monopolistic on healthcare. Same as all public services.

Just a nitpick, when there is a single purchaser it's called a monopsony.

Non free market? Communism. I know we’re on HN but, say the word?

Of course the US market is highly regulated and so the market is not free to lower prices. Of course the AMA is a racket. Of course needs of certificate are abhorrent.

Given the customer non—coerced access to his preferred provider, and not taking his money and slapping a bunch of regulations on him will of course lower prices and give him better care.

I don’t see why the other side can’t see it.

That's right, communism. Social security in France is literally a communist system, founded by a communist minister. Hence why neoliberals want to destroy it.