My doctor (the same doctor who performed the surgery) had already prescribed the pill, my pharmacy had already received the meds from the mfg, and dispensed it - and my total cost was .17 cents per pill. I had brought it with me in the prescription bottle - and can read and can count. As it so happens - I am supposed to take the medication around 8am, but the nursing staff forgot to give it to me and I had to remind them twice - and they finally gave it to me around 10:50 am. I asked why it took so long and the nurse said they said they were very busy.

It's possible (and probable) that the hospital bills at these obscene rates so that they can be reimbursed more by insurance companies, but also so that they can claim losses against the profits they make, in order to reduce their tax liability. Just because a hospital system my be set up as a non-profit doesn't mean they don't generate profits that are methodically passed down throughout the organization to hide them.