Even without insurance all our procedures cost total less than ~$100 apiece.
The most expensive thing I've ever had in japan was my full body workup last year for $500.
It included: stomach ultrasound, 5 blood tests, eye exam, MRI(brain) and barium scan. All without insurance.
By comparison, in the US I was charged $1200 to get my daughters arm cast changed (no xray, just a nurse changing the cast), and $800 for an ultrasound.
It is literally cheaper to fly to Japan and get treatment without insurance than to use my health insurance that I pay $1300/month for.
Also, as a bonus, because of the set prices of medical procedures in Japan, insurance is super cheap. For a family of 4 it was costing me around $500/month when I used to live here.
I hope the nurse got paid at least half of that.
In bigger cities, you'll definitely be able to find doctors who can speak English easily.
There are options for transparency that don't involve a government takeover of health care. But the brinksmanship in the politics of health care --- almost entirely the fault of the GOP --- is keeping us from exploring solutions.
Standardized pricing gets rid of the problem of charging different customers (slightly) different pricing, and having massive negotiations on a per-carrier basis. This sort of thing isn't a matter of "competition drives down cost". It's just stupid and inefficient.
Also, Medicare and Medicaid can't negotiate drug prices.
Medicaid varies because states have way more control and many states (especially Republican-leaning ones) have slashed their rates as part of a concerted effort to kill the program. Not that it matters - in Texas you generally can't qualify for Medicaid if you're childless or have a job. The income requirements are insanely low.
If a doctor doesn't like the rates Medic[are|aid] are paying, they're free to not accept Medic[are|aid] patients.
In the majority of the 1st world where the goverment and general population accepted the fact that healthcare is a special case outside normal economic rules. That's why get things like single payer, price controls.
That's not the prevailing belief in the US. The majority of people in power (not sure about general population) believe that healcare is like any other business subject to the same rules. Single payer is government interference into the market; price controls are definitely out of the question. Price controls might even be unconditional (if challenged, depending on context).
Also, the various lobby groups representing doctors are very powerful much like unions used to be. However unlike labor unions these groups have broader cross party relationships. These groups tent to oppose any kind of limits on pay that could directly impact their constituents.
When you put that in perspective it's obvious to understand why we end up which such convoluted solutions as the ACHA in order to expand/guarantee medical coverage to people.
In America, price negotiation is done between providers and insurance carriers. This has a few obvious effects. First, it gives us the in-network/out-of-network distinction. Second, it introduces complexity in the math sense to pricing - providers aren't charging one price, they're charging a wide array of prices, although those prices don't really vary much.
The network thing also has the effect of reducing consumer choice in providers. I can use whatever doctors/facilities my insurance has in-network, unless I'm willing to cough up the difference out of my own pocket.
Of course, fixed prices would be that wicked socialist government control we're told is ruining everything.