I guess it doesn't matter where you live, there are always problems with this shit. It does seem to affect your area a lot more than many others though.
When I lived in Ontario, I remember vets getting together once a year and having spay/neuter clinics where they would do mass procedures all day for like $30. I think it was the cost of their materials and they donated all of their time to try and combat the problem. That was a long time ago though.
That still happens in many areas even today. Almost always, though, those veterinarians are subsidized to at least cover the cost of their materials. The anesthesia and even the suture material or surgical glue isn't cheap. No subsidies for local vets, though. Just doesn't happen 'round here.