Griff, I absolutely agree with your opening remark.
The rules in Medicare Part D (drugs) are a big culprit because Medicare
is prohibited from negotiating $ with the drug companies.
The other parts of Medicare and governmental agencies
are allowed to "controll" cost via negotiation of purchase price,
or by the amounts the feds reimburse to hospitals and physicians.
As an example, ObamaCare requires preventative immunizations to be free.
Except..., the immunization for shingles (varicella-zoster by Merck)
is exempted for large insurance plans, and the "co-pay" is passed along to the patient.
My co-pay was $70, and RiteAide starts the bidding at $200
It's additionally frustrating because the Merck vaccine is only 50% effective.
If you want the costs of drugs to go down, get your State's Senators
and Representatives to change this aspect of Part D.
Hint: For the other parts of health care costs.
When you get a survey about how satisfied you are
with your recent visit at a hospital/clinic,
answer it carefully because negative replies weigh heavily
in the future towards the rate of reimbursements for that health provider.
Wait-times in the ER Waiting Room don't count
because there are no standards to be met.