Easy to report, but hard to do. When in the hospital it’s not like you can ask the cost of each item as you need it, but bringing medications with you to hospital helps a little. Ask the cost versus the benefit for each test. Is there a less costly test that might provide the same results.
Asking about price is an essential part of a patient’s responsibility.
Rehabilitate Your Heart 
I am bothered by the fact that no one seems to be able to tell you how much something costs. Yet when you get the bill . . . there it is. A price sheet should be available. Especially when not all procedures are necessary and for those of us that pay insurance out of our own pocket, we need to make certain we can pay for the procedures. There should be an easy to refer to price list so when a patient asks they can get a price quote. I understand that each insurance is different, but that too is the responsibility of the patient. I ask how much the PROCEDURE is, not how much I have to pay, then I should be quoted a price, then I am left to figure out how much of that I have to pay out of pocket and how much my insurance will cover.
I have so wanted to do a blog post on this myself!
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Having worked in healthcare can speak volumes to the insanity of it. In physical therapy $30 for ice bag $18 for one aspirin people with no insurance pay more than what insurance companies pay. Healthcare needs to be clear honest and up front or consumers will rebel.
And when you have inusurance they should still be able to tell you how much something is going to cost.
But if they charge everyone a different fee that is where the problem might be.