Pandemic has put a spotlight on the vast differences in affordability of health care across the country

Across America, bills for Covid-19 treatment are coming due, and some patients are paying large out-of-pocket fees despite a federal safety net set up to help them avoid such financial surprises.
Early in the coronavirus pandemic, Congress formed an emergency system to ensure free testing for the virus and to help uninsured Americans avoid big hospital bills for Covid-19 treatment. At the same time, most large insurance companies waived cost-sharing agreements for Covid-19 patients, limiting out-of-pocket costs for holders…