For fun I ask how much it is going to cost when going to my doctor. They refuse to tell me. They can't even make an estimate (tens? hundreds? thousands?) Even after seeing the doctor they can't. I pull out my card and say "I would like to pay now". I get told I have to wait for the bill. It is virtually impossible to find prices. Things are more complicated because the patient is often not the one paying directly due to the "insurance" that goes on.
This doesn't only apply for doctor visits/procedures, but even for labs where it is a known consistent product with little variability. http://www.rogerbinns.com/blog/gplus/the-first-rule-of-the-a...
A few years ago I had a ride to the emergency room. There was only one ambulance company and only one relevant hospital. The morphine in the ambulance was $27. At the hospital it was $129 plus another $75 fee to add it to the drip. Capitalism is not at play there.
Also did you know that if in most states you were going to open a hospital to lower costs you won't be allowed to? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_Need