Why are we paying 5x as much for the same pics?”
Not a simple answer. First, the number of MRI scanners per capita in those overseas locations is much less - thus the cost outlay for purchase and upkeep of the scanners per capita is much less. The flip side of that is long waiting times and rationing.
Second, a lot of medical device, imaging equipment, surgical supplies, and pharmaceutical companies get gouged by foreign governments - and stay profitable by what they make in US markets. In that manner, our medical system has been subsidizing medical costs around the world.
Third, hospital systems lose money on lots of things, like medicare and medicaid patients, and they pass these losses on to other patients in a variety of ways - such as ramping up the costs of MRIs etc.
There's a lot more involved, including an increasing amount of administrative costs in the US, and costs of legal protection, but suffice it to say it's not a simple case of over the top profits.
Ex USAF buddy works for a "non" profit hospital chain. Trust me they are not losing any money. They also make a hefty "profit"