I don't know that the military budget needs to be as high as it is. Despite being a veteran, on a personal level I've never agreed with us being stationed around the world. The world police mentality is something I hoped we would get away from with President Trump, but it doesn't appear to be that way. We also have horrible oversight and rules for different programs, especially those related to military contractors. The military has strict rules on who they have to do business with(i.e. when a military contract is put up, Veteran owned and/or small businesses get first crack) and it can lead to a flood of wasted money. I remember years ago reading a story of two women who created some small company specifically designed to get small government contracts and they would charge ridiculous amounts for stupid things like toilet seats. That being said, military research and technology has provided the greatest scientific and technological advances in history, including the internet, so it does have some perks.
Other countries pay less than us because they either control the hospitals/doctors, or the insurance companies, or the costs associated to each. The first two won't happen in the U.S. Third one is possible, but not being practiced currently. I agree with the association health plans put forward by Senator Paul as step 1. I also agree with everything on this list: 10 ways to cut costs. Specifically #'s 1, 2, 7, and 10.