Would it be ethical for surgeons friendly to ACA

[Blindingly apparent]

To comment in general terms on the costs of the surgeries, recovery, and all follow up treatments for patients like Senator McCain and that Republican congressman that was shot? At the beginning of such a conversation, it should be emphasized that anyone can catch cancer and in this country , anyone can be shot through no fault of their own.
I think it would be helpful for people to understand the staggering expense of medical care.

[Docreed2003]

2. The surgery itself isn't the biggest cost, usually

In the situations you described, the most significant cost would likely be the hospital stay, especially in Scalise's case where he has had a prolonged ICU stay.

As for divulging their specific costs of surgery, yeah, you can't put their bills online, that's unethical.

That being said, for anyone that's curious, when I have a patient that I'm scheduling for elective surgery we've begun contacting their insurances and getting a breakdown of cost estimate prior to the operation and providing that to the patient. It's especially helpful for patients who haven't met their deductible and need time to plan for out of pocket costs.

[Not Ruth]

3. Do surgeons know the cost?

I assume that is another person's job. Like a medical biller.