Comparing prices for a knee replacement, tonsillectomy or even an aspirin between hospitals is difficult and sometimes impossible because of all the variables that can have a bearing on the bottom line. Catalyst for Payment Reform, a coalition of large employers and others, such as CalPERS, that purchase care, has just released a brief calling for more transparency in health care pricing. In California, a new state law takes a first step toward transparency by prohibiting health insurers and providers from including “gag clauses” in contracts that forbid the disclosure of pricing information according to a report at www.californiahealthline.com.