Yes, the amount we pay just for Medicare and Medicaid is much more than we spend on defense (a large part of which goes to the VA, more healthcare). That money is enough that it alone should pay for single payer healthcare, and would in other countries. But our government run healthcare isn’t allowed to negotiate fully, and has to compete with private healthcare. So it’s hamstrung and we get screwed.

Just eliminating insurance would reign in prices significantly.