> So why is a valve $10k? Note that a replacement battery for the above ventilator costs < $1k. I'm guessing the valves are single-use (due to contamination),

> So why is a valve $10k? Note that a replacement battery for the above ventilator costs < $1k. I'm guessing the valves are single-use (due to contamination), so the cost is passed along to the customer. They can't charge every customer for a battery (I mean, they could prorate it, but that's not how medical billing works). The hospital doesn't care what a valve costs if they're passing-along 100% of the cost to you.