We see this same fetish over institutions in other areas of public policy, too. The most obvious is education, in which we conflate one method of funding and providing schools ("public schools") with education itself.
Likewise, if we're really interested in promoting the health of the public, can can glom onto a government-run health care system, or take other steps that will help people protect themselves against catastrophic medical expenses, take care of routine needs, and so forth.
Likewise, if we're really interested in promoting the health of the public, can can glom onto a government-run health care system, or take other steps that will help people protect themselves against catastrophic medical expenses, take care of routine needs, and so forth.