[Daniel_Newby]

> ... being treated for a heart attack, are situations where demand is completely inelastic.

Not true. Even in a sprawling place like Oklahoma City, most of the middle class lives within safe transport distance of several hospitals. It would be perfectly rational for them to tell the ambulance crew to drive another five minutes to save $25,000.

Most emergencies have plenty of time for price shopping.

[estebank]

>> ... being treated for a heart attack, are situations where demand is completely inelastic.

> (...) It would be perfectly rational for them to tell the ambulance crew to drive another five minutes to save $25,000.

I wouldn't want to be in your care. If you're having a heart attack you want to get into a hospital ASAP. And that's coming from somebody that took a taxi to the hospital after being stabbed in the chest.

[Daniel_Newby]

Most heart attacks are small and not immediately life threatening. Some are dangerous but they tend not to be survivable anyway.

Most Americans wait over two hours to seek care for a heart attack! Cost is a big reason why—even a false alarm can cost several months of income. If people had the privilege of taking the time to comparison shop and drive out of their way for a good deal, they would probably get care faster.