Since health insurance is non-competitive (PDF) I think it is fair to assume the blame is not on the private sector - but the lack of competition in said sector due to market regulation. Anyone have a different take?
No, you’re right. Think licensing costs (money, time and possibly corruption and bribery), unfair competition from the state’s part (providing “low” cost services, which are in fact fueled through taxation) and oligopoly conditions supported by government.
I frequently cite somalia when describing how free markets can work to statists. It’s a shame most people only see the violence - and for statists it negates the effects of the market.