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In India's free market healthcare system, I had no difficulty finding out billing rates. The common stuff (e.g., cost of a hospital room or a blood test) was posted on the wall, and the doctors gave me details on more specific stuff.

That's at least one data point suggesting that in a free market, prices will become transparent.

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Japan does that, too. They have a big book doctors follow for every procedure. Their system is regulated, price-fixed, and universal.

Pretty much true of dental, optical, and veterinary care in the USA, too (which are often paid directly out of pocket; dental and vision insurance is just a taxable vs. untaxable thing, but doesn't really spread risk like insurance).

Rather than focusing on the "meaningful use" EHR stuff, I wish the government would demand machine-readable and easily accessed pricing (list, prevailing, medicare, and all negotiated insurance, as well as actual collection rates) for services, at least from any doctor who accepts medicare or medicaid. Publish this, let people build awesome tools.

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