There is a semblance of price discovery in auto repair market, which is completely missing in healthcare market. In many (most?) states, it is completely legal for healthcare provider to answer pricing questions with "we don't know".

This is partially a result of the way that health insurers in the US (both public and private) pay for procedures.

A 15 minute consult with a GP is paid differently depending on whether the outcome of that consult is that you're diagnosed with e.g., strep throat vs. cancer.

Yes. In Singapore, to give one example, it's the norm to get either a fixed price up-front for your healthcare needs or a good estimate.

Prices for common procedures are publicly posted at your doctor's practice.

Not only is it legal, it's probably true!

There are like 10 layers of mayhem and negotiation and esoteric rules.

Spot on. I've worked in P&C and life/ health insurance, and really wish states would regulate life/health like they do for P&C.

Our government imposes massive requirements on health insurance that drives up costs. It does far less for auto insurance.

Well, yeah, humans are different than cars.

IMO having some sort of universal care paired with optional enhanced private coverage for acute issues or other things would make sense.

That and turning health insurance into, well, insurance.

You don't need insurance for small things you can pay out of pocket. (Or entirely predictable costs like a pregnancy without complications or getting glasses every year.)

You need insurance for catastrophic events that would wreck your finances.