USNews.com: Will unveiling the expense of Medicare help cut costs?

USNews.com: Will unveiling the expense of Medicare help cut costs?: "Pricing Out Medicare
Will unveiling the expense of care help cut costs?

By Avery Comarow

Medicare paid hospitals more than $35,000 on average in 2005 to insert a heart defibrillator; an uncomplicated spinal fusion ran nearly $17,000--not including physician and various other charges. How will Americans react to knowing such numbers? With heightened appreciation for the escalating cost of medical care, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hopes."