Whatever the cost, it is a hugely popular idea. So was killing off the indians, err, Native-Americans.
The real danger of subsidization is that in the end it may staunch drug innovation.
The real danger is that it exercises government power not expressly granted by the constitution.
Well, why don't you run for president on a platform that the whole social welfare state is unconstitutional, and that you will appoint supreme court justices that will vote to overrule all prior SCOTUS precedents and sweep the whole thing out. That should rally the "conservative" base.