seems obvious. That's widely implemented in the other more successful systems.

As for price, I'm not sure treating it more like a utility is a bad thing. Maybe, maybe not. Even the highly free-market oriented nations that are brought up in the discussion like Switzerland and Singapore have implemented that, so it must have some major benefits.

With the ability to shop transparent prices, that still puts a lot of burden on an uneducated consumer. Not saying your plan can't work, or that it wouldn't be a lot better, I just don't know enough to say that it would generate positives that outweigh the industry standardized approach.

EDIT: Here's what the wikipedia page for Singapore said about price regulation.

"he government regularly adjusts policies to actively regulate "the supply and prices of healthcare services in the country" in an attempt to keep costs in check. However, for the most part the government does not directly regulate the costs of private medical care. These costs are largely subject to market forces, and vary enormously within the private sector, depending on the medical specialty and service provided.

The specific features of the Singapore healthcare system are unique, and have been described as a "very difficult system to replicate in many other countries." Many Singaporeans also have supplemental private health insurance (often provided by employers) for services not covered by the government's programmes.[8]

Patients are free to choose the providers within the government or private healthcare delivery system and can walk in for a consultation at any private clinic or any government polyclinic. For emergency services, patients can go at any time to the 24-hour Accident & Emergency Departments located in the government hospitals."
[Post edited by hoodeyo at 05/09/2017 5:30PM]