I have very strong opinions about why health care costs are so high. Sure....one of the major issues is that those of us that can pay for health care services are paying for those who cannot, so the overall charges reflect this.
But beyond that.....there is tons of waste in health care, inefficient use of expensive resources, high research costs with minimal positive impact on the greater good, and huge profits being made. There have been some attempts to standardize the provision of health care services and bring the costs down, the most recognized being the HMO's started in the 1980's, and their refusal to pay for everything that was ordered by a physician.
But overall....I believe that the costs of health care reflect the American cultural standard that we expect our lives to be extended at any cost. Our health care system reflects a lack of acceptance that many world cultures have.....which is that it is our nature to die. It is what all living things do....and although it's sad for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, death is not a bad thing. I believe to prolong life through extraordinary means is more of a cultural phenomenon than a moral one, and that we handle impending death poorly.
Trying to humanely, respectfully, and with dignity say "no" to providing someone with life-extending health care is a slippery slope. But I believe that we need to begin somewhere in order to be able to continue to provide appropriate health care services that can be fiscally managed.