I'm nowhere near having an answer, but pricing transparency needs to be a major part of the solution. I realize OPEC isn't exactly a popular entity, but I wonder whether a similar model might have some benefits here. Form a group comprised of representatives from interested parties tasked with establishing pricing for services rendered that is consistent across the entire nation. Perhaps allow regional adjustments based on cost-of-living deviations, or some other relevant metric - but cap how much those deviations can actually influence the price of care.

End the idiotic "billed rate" vs. the "negotiated rate" nonsense.

Include patient transportation in the equation. If singular pricing isn't attainable, a local hospital's care is too expensive, and the patient can receive similar care at an alternate location in a cost-effective way - cover the transportation cost under their insurance.

Tort reform. Liability insurance premiums for health care professionals is as crazy as the price for the care they provide. This is as big a problem as the price of a bag of saline.

I know these aren't the answers - but pricing of services is key to the problem, and the Affordable Care Act did little to get that under control beyond attempting to move more individuals under the umbrella of insurance and outside of emergency care.