The “cost” of a service is far less than the bill. A price or charge is not a cost.
If the service is futile then the provider should eat the cost.
Then it will become payment required up front, and if you can’t pay, you won’t get the treatment. Otherwise, providers will exercise discretion and deny treatments they deem “futile,” even if the patient disagrees and is willing to try a treatment that has a lower likelihood of success or one that mainly serves to prolong his life a while longer.
If you think the price you see doesn’t reflect the costs incurred by non-payers, you’re mistaken.
If the service is futile then the provider should eat the cost
Since we’re all going to die regardless of healthcare spending, would you like to appoint a ‘death panel’ to decide when further treatments for you are ‘futile’? I’d rather let the individual trade as much of their wealth as they see fit for healthcare, I just want to draw the line at individuals trading my wealth for their healthcare.