It&#x27;s a bit baffling, for someone living outside the US, why any reasonable person would have expected that sick people, of all people, would spend a lot of time comparison shopping.<p>The appendectomy example really underscores the insanity of the idea -- who in their right mind, when facing a burst appendix, <i>would risk their life by stopping to do some in-depth reading of price lists to find the best deal on continuing to live</i>?<p>Your only concern at that point should be getting yourself to the nearest emergency ward. It&#x27;s crazy to think that you&#x27;re supposed to stop and figure out if Big Al&#x27;s Discount Appendectomies three towns over is having double-coupon Thursdays.