Its the first stepIn the case of ObamaCare, pricing and costs are distorted. Bureaucrats in the 159 new agencies will set prices without regard to the cost structure. Consumers will be shielded from true costs, thus distorting demand upward. Artificially low prices will drive many suppliers out of business as they are forced to provide products or services at a loss - leading to the inevitable rationing.
But this was the goal all along.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW4IKM9hzS4]YouTube - Baby steps to single payer[/ame]