I think it is more that prices are not transparent. Instead they are impredictable.
And you can't shop around for cheaper treatment. Partly because you are not in position to do so and partly because no one will tell you full price in advance.
I agree that those are problems with American healthcare. I'm describing why ER prices are specifically so much higher than care in other areas of the hospital.
And you can't shop around for cheaper treatment. Partly because you are not in position to do so and partly because no one will tell you full price in advance.