In Case You Missed It: Today, the Washington Examiner published an op-ed by AMAC President Rebecca Weber and Dr. Marion Mass on the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act, H.R. 5378. This bipartisan bill, which is all too rare in Congress, makes significant progress in addressing a problem that has long plagued patients: hidden healthcare costs.
See excerpts below. Read the full op-ed here.
“Last week, House Republicans and Democrats introduced the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act. In a bipartisan effort that is all too rare in Congress, this bill makes significant progress to address a problem that has long plagued patients: hidden healthcare costs….
“Fortunately, the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act would reform four key aspects of our broken healthcare system. First, it would require hospitals, insurers, and laboratories to provide consumers with clear, publicly available pricing information for at least 300 shoppable services such as hip replacements, mammograms, and many other pre-scheduled procedures.
“Every patient deserves to know the price of medical services before they are stuck with the bill. And while major hospital systems and insurance companies have lobbied vociferously to stop such efforts, members of Congress can no longer ignore the estimated 90% who support greater price transparency in healthcare.
“Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have promised voters they will address surprise medical billing. Now it’s time for Congress to deliver with the healing remedy of price transparency.”
