The nearly ubiquitous cell phone contract sucks and the operators certainly try to make things confusing but if someone really does want a cheap cell phone and plan they can be had for quite cheap and at not much inconvenience. Drive down to Walmart and you can pick up a $30 cell phone and start using a prepaid plan that costs $30/mo.

Most hospitals will not, however, tell you how much a procedure costs making shopping around for non-emergency procedures impossible. Combine that with the usual low deductible health insurance plans and you've driven out any incentive for the consumer to even attempt getting a good deal.