Reply #6: I recently discussed that question with a gal friend of mine who

[JimWis]

works for the Mayo system. She told me a few stories about simple procedures where the doctor or hospital charged ridiculously high amounts. So I said to her - than you feel it is the doctors faults for these high costs - surprisingly, her reply was no. It is the insurance. The doctors have to charge these amounts to make up for insurance companies that will find a way to deny the charges, and also uninsured patients who end up not paying. Single payer would fix that problem.