You are correct on one point and that is the cost of medical care has gone insane since health insurance came in to vogue and the same for prescriptions. Our two kids births cost us about $500 each in the late 50s now it runs in the thousands for a natural birth but most are induced because of the threat of lawsuits and cost more. We signed up with a GP for our primary care for a flat fee where we are given all the time we need or the Dr needs. We have his cell phone,home phone and eMail. Medicare at the primary level is next to nonexistent where you wait for a appointment and then you wait in the lobby for a different doctor and he gives you 7.5 minutes or his undertrained aide sees you and hands you a brown paper bag full of samples.
That works for me.