Why is it so hard to get into health care program(nursing, radiology, MLT, etc) in college?

Do you want someone who isn't terribly competent giving you shots, etc? No. This is why it's difficult to get into health care programs. Also, the health care field is growing very fast and many people are recognizing this and want to jump on the bandwagon and schools can't train that many people at one time and have them get an adequate education.

Competency is paramount in the medical professions because of the threat of litigation. As a result, more and more, less than an A effort just won't cut it.

Imagine this:
You're on the table for open heart surgery and the surgeon tells you not to worry because, although he cheated on his medical exams, had someone else do his practicum, was given an "easy A" on his practical tests, it shouldn't hurt a bit.
Get it? Yeah, that sucks. Ok, that was an extreme, but the point is that the medical environment is serious - not a TV comedy show or drama where everyone gets paid wazoo bucks to screw around. It can be a stressful, exacting field - or people die. So any program is completely justified in putting pressure on their students from day one because, if they can't handle a math test or critical feedback in English comp, or get a C in Biology or aren't creative enough to get why they would want to know some chemistry... Well, sorry, but they don't want less than the best because:

1. Hospitals really don't want to get sued

2. The programs want successful alumni that donate back to the school (especially in a country that constantly cuts education funding!).

3. All programs want to improve their reputation so that they can get the best possible applicants so that they don't lose time and resources on students that won't make it through "the gauntlet."

Think of it as a justified hazing process - a long, grueling rite of passage, but at the end of that tunnel are some serious rewards because we all know the pay isn't bad... Not to mention actualizing a desire to save lives.