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Because the obscurity of the prices is a result of regulation as well. We need less layers of control with "unintended" consequences.

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Can you elaborate on the regulations that you are referring to?

Can’t point to the source, but I think we all know that there is some sort of regulation requiring us to pay providers for services when those providers refuse to provide pricing information at before or during the time of service.

That sounds, among other things, like something entirely unrelated to the issue.

I would argue that it is the thing most related to the issue.

And you'd be wrong: that may be an issue, but it just doesn't relate to OP's idea of some regulation prohibiting health care providers or insurers from publishing prices.

I think you just have you sign documents saying you're responsible for paying whatever the cost turns out to be. Why would a regulation be required to enforce that?

Generally the issue with pricing in healthcare is insurance, which has the perverse structure of being consumed as a tax benefit without competition to get patients.

There isn't a specific rule that explains this but there is a whole system that begets this as the most efficient system by the current players.

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