[kurthr]

Emergency care (and EOL) represent the majority of all costs for many people. Other than regular check-ups I haven't been to the doctor more than 30 times in the last 30 years. One visit to the emergency room in an ambulance is at least $10k and that is equal to 30 years of $300 visits. A real emergency can easily be several $100k once you figure in recovery. So I can't shop at all for 50-90% of all my spending!

After a heart-attack/car-wreck the ambulance should take me to the closest hospital not the one that happens to be 30 miles farther away and in-network. If I'm EOL care, then I likely have pre-existing conditions and travel limitation that will limit my ability to change plans, much less hospitals.