U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Ron Estes (R-KS), and Buddy Carter (R-GA) praised the president’s approval last week of two rules to improve transparency in America’s healthcare costs.
“I applaud President Trump for pushing for more transparency to put patients at the center of their healthcare decisions,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said. “Congress should take this seriously, and our first action should be to pass bipartisan surprise billing legislation out of the House.”
“As I always say, sunlight is the best disinfectant,” said Rep. Carter. “The only way we will ever truly lower healthcare costs is to demand transparency in the entire healthcare supply chain and the president’s announcement today is a strong, important step.”
Rep. Estes also praised the plan and said he wants to ensure “implementation of the finalized rule supports patients and hospitals, especially in rural areas.”
The White House on Nov. 15 announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is finalizing a rule to require hospitals to make prices publicly available online for some 300 shoppable services as a total package in an easy-to-read, consumer-friendly format.
The Trump Administration also proposed the Transparency in Coverage Rule to require insurance companies and group health plans provide cost estimates to enrollees in advance of care and that they make a list of all of their pricing information publicly available.
“By requiring hospitals to publish their charges and insurers to disclose their rates upfront, patients can have the tools they need to make decisions about their healthcare and find the best option for them, before getting blindsided at the checkout counter after receiving care,” said Rep. Estes.
“Since day one, President Trump has been working with us to lower health care costs for all Americans and I thank him for continuing this critical mission,” Rep. Carter added.
Rep. McMorris Rodgers said, “Americans are rightly frustrated with a healthcare system that is too costly, too confusing, and doesn’t put their interests first,” and noted that transparency is one of the best ways to address rising costs.
“When patients have this information at their fingertips, they can make the best decisions for themselves and their families,” said Rep. McMorris Rogers. “With detailed price information and the ability to shop for the best care, we can spur competition and drive down costs.”