[hippo22]

I think the outcome we're witnessing in the U.S. is simply an outcome of an insurance-backed industry. All the market forces conspire for prices to be higher. Insurance companies actually don't care how much healthcare costs because they earn a fixed percentage on premiums. If healthcare costs are higher, then premium costs are higher, so the insurance companies earn more money.

Naturally, hospitals also wants prices to be higher so they can earn more money.

I would expect this dynamic to play out whenever all the buyers in the marketplace are insurance companies.