They could have done this ...

... a long time ago: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090511/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_health_overhaul_savings

The only reason they're doing it now is they know the mood of the country is very different than it was seventeen years ago. Healthcare and college education are two areas of the private sector with runaway costs that, in my opinion, are so expensive largely because because people are willing to spend a ton on both. But the problem there is that it draws the attention of the ultimately big spender: the US Govt. and populists in general who see a golden opportunity to score political points in making these things cheaper.

You know, govt. is the cause of both of those being so expensive. Healthcare is kind of obvious. Did you know that exterior to the US, drug companies short-sell drugs to the canadians and euros and make up the difference with high US prices? Through other countries socialization, it makes it harder for us to not socialize. Same thing with food prices and farm subsidies. Anyhow, back to my point: medicare, medicaid, free ER treatment for the poor and illegals <--- first two are govt. inventions and the last is a by-fiat govt. mandate. Not to mention why we even have health "insurance" to begin with: wage freezes during WWII.

College education is a little less obvious, but lowered public High School graduation standards makes those diplomas far less valuable, thereby forcing people to get at least a 2 year degree to prove the level of competence that was demonstrate a couple decades ago with a high school diploma that meant something. And of course that all trickles up the chain: a bachelors then is a masters now, etc, etc. I know the calculus of degree and diploma values then-and-now aren't really that overlapping and neat. But I think the overall arch is clear: lowered public school expectations have placed a premium on secondary education to prove you're not just a public school skate.

I could go on about public schools, juvenile labor laws, illegal immigration, and how they all tie together to foster juvenile delinquency. I'll post more about that some other time.