Well, I think the actual problem is that there is no downward pressure at all for healthcare costs. And in fact all pressure is all upward, starting with the provider and the small network of sub-providers they represent. The complexity of billing allows the provider to "not know" what their own services cost! So anyone who complains is considered a cheapskate trying to skimp on their own health, or worse, on someone else's.

Its horrible. I had one billing department lady in the US literally tell me when I complained about the exorbitant cost of a simple ER visit (in the thousands), "Well, how much is your life worth?" After the steam stopped coming out of my ears, I was able to come back with: if that's your position, then why stop at 5k? Why not charge 50k? Or 500k? Why not take everything I have or will ever have? She didn't respond, and just looked at me thoughtfully, as if I'd just given her a really good idea.