Free market? How is it a free market if you can't even find out the price before you pay? The Republicans are no help, but not because they purport to believe in free markets.
"How much does that big Mac cost?" "Eat one. I will then send a bill to your food provider. They will tell you what share of the price, made up behind you back & after the fact, you are responsible for paying."
They are always a major payer and so hospitals will do what it takes to be Medicare certified. In high density areas there can be enough rich people for a hospital to not bother.