So many Republicans want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, derisively called Obamacare, but few have a plan of their own to replace it.

They'd better think of something -- and fast.

While the GOP might not get its wish to dismantle the massive health care overhaul, the Supreme Court, which is considering its constitutionality, might strike down all or parts of the act before this session ends.

Yet even Americans who aren't fans of the act agree something has to be done about the skyrocketing costs of health care and insurance, which are eating ever larger portions of their incomes.

If not the Affordable Care Act, then what?

A study released this week illustrates just how out of control the situation has gotten.

Researchers in California found the cost to remove an appendix there varied wildly, ranging from $1,500 to a staggering $180,000.

They used data hospitals are required to submit to the state and, to get the fairest comparisons, only included similar, uncomplicated cases in patients ranging from 18 to 59 years old.

Some of the disparities were from differences among patients and where they were treated. But there was no explanation for about one-third of the cost differences, according to The Associated Press, which reported on the study.

The researchers and health experts say the problem is not unique to California.

"There's no method to the madness," lead author Dr. Renee Hsia, an emergency room physician and researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, told the news service. "There's no system at all to determine what is a rational price for this condition or this procedure."

Dr. David Goodman, director of Dartmouth College's Center for Health Policy Research, told AP the differences found in the study are credible and "very concerning."

The report notes the Affordable Care Act, even if it remains intact, would have little effect on the disparities, although other countries have developed regulations that prevent such sticker shock.

Maybe the act isn't the answer to all of what's wrong with health care.

But lost in the GOP's cries to overturn "Obamacare" is any credible solution for what's fast becoming a crisis for working American families.