So-called "consumer market" for health care

Over the past year, my health-care benefits have been cut significantly. I discovered one result of these cuts when I received a bill for routine tests that my doctor had requested several months ago. These used to be completely covered, whereas each now has a co-pay: $15 for this one, $10 for this one, etc. The Republican have a mania that somehow this will make me a "consumer" to help contain costs in health care. But how would that work exactly? Was I, several months ago, supposed to know that I was going to be charged for these tests and argue with my doctor about their necessity? Or know how much the tests would cost and tell the doctor to find a lower-cost laboratory? Or just not get the tests to reduce my costs? The Republican health-care plan is a sad and cruel joke. We need single-payer: that's the only way we'll ever get any real savings out of the health-care system.