Great article, scary about the mortality rates in July in August! One thing I want to share, along the lines of the billing issues. If you have any chance at paying your bill in full you usually get a discount. We have gotten between 10 and 20% off for various stays and procedures, and that can be a substantial amount. I found out by chance after delivering one of my sons around tax return time and have done asked at 3 separate hospitals and had them all discount. They don't announce it but if you ask they usually will.
Becca