Will Mr Obama's plan raise or lower the US costs?
I think you need only to look at any government take over of anything to get a good idea of past results not being indicative of future performance.
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
Obviously, we have thrown out the constitution a long time ago...but these attacks on it are getting more and more grotesque...and will only decrease the quality and increase the cost of healthcare in the US.