this is a unique situation. Customers can't shop around for the best price because there are laws in place that prevent insurance companies from offering plans

this is a unique situation. Customers can't shop around for the best price because there are laws in place that prevent insurance companies from offering plans that are sufficiently cost effective in such emergency room visits (and a host of other conditions as well). Otherwise, I'm sure someone would have recognized these problems and offered an insurance plan that protects you from this. Free-market can't do anything when it's hands are tied behind it's back.