I think it will be tough to really do much about healthcare due to an economic phenomenon called Baumol's disease. I think our best hope is that technology can solve the chronic diseases that plague us now. I am sure if we took better care of ourselves that that would help too. I don't think the government can do very much about Baumol's disease or our behavoir. (weight, drinking, smoking, drugs and violence) I think all societies are struggling with the cost of healthcare regardless of the design of their systems.

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/07/07/030707ta_talk_surowiecki

Craig