While those costs do add up, the very high costs are coming from long term illnesses where doctors pretty much have a duty to "throw everything at you".
From the beginning, when lots of unneeded tests are done to cover their negligent lawsuit check box, to the end where you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to extend life by several months (at best) in a painful state of existence. Steve Jobs succumbed and how much do you think he spent on his medical care? My guess is in the tens of millions, at that point you have nothing to lose, and you can't take it with you.
Technology has reduced the costs of almost every sector
except the healthcare system in the US.
We need more of a "take charge" type mentality to healthcare where people shop around to truly reduce costs, it's just impossible to do, really. It's not like you can call around for a kidney transplant like you do a set of tires.
The overall increases over the past 16 years have been mostly linear (not exponential) and the ACA "Obama Care" act has done little to increase premiums on a % basis. BUT, everyone is quick to blame those of the other party who have actually done something that has helped Americans.
