Fresh experience from a different healthcare system: a friend of mine gave birth last Saturday and she won't have to pay a single dime for it. It's covered, all of it, the entire procedure, no questions asked. No shopping, no negotiation, no worries.

That's the kind of freedom that makes a difference for your well-being, both physically and psychologically.

2 home births barely cost my wife and I anything.

This could have been shortened by half. Learn to be concise, people, I have Fail Army videos to watch.

To be fair, by it's very nature, the Medical Industry should NOT get to the point where "Procedure A will cost you $______" or be subject to solid quotes. Most of the things you purchase that way, cars, houses, TVs, etc. are high-volume testaments to physics and industrial chemistry. When you're talking about something as fragile and complex as a human body, this isn't the way to go. If your alternator goes bad, you get towed into the shop and get a new one. If your appendectomy goes wrong, you could die or be affected for the rest of your life.

Equating medicine with consumer purchases is ridiculous and idiotic.

That being said, yes, your medical system needs serious work.

That's how it works in Australia too, unless you choose to use a private hospital.

I get your point, but I think it should be 'Procedure A will cost you $______....assuming there are no complications."
I actually must disagree about your analogy of the car...because it is like taking your car to a shop but not knowing exactly what's wrong...chances are the price they quote for the service they THINK will solve the problem won't be the final price because they're just guessing at what they'll have to do...they can't KNOW there won't be rusted bolts or other damage that's only visible after taking the timing cover off. That said, they CAN give you a quote for taking the timing cover off, and if pressed, for replacing the cracked block if that's behind it. Hospitals absolutely refuse to estimate, or to give a solid price for a specific service. I think that's the big problem, as it allows them to charge you one price and me another, and insurance another, Medicare another, etc. It's the floating price scheme that's unconscionable, especially for services that are life and death when you can't say "no thanks". It allows them to 'serve' you THEN tell you the aspirin they gave you costs $800. That's unfair by any reasoning.

Now try figuring out how cable company bills are up to 40% higher than advertised...