New York City Mayor Eric Adams on June 23 signed a bill establishing the country's first healthcare accountability office. Here are four things to know about the new office:
1. The new law takes effect Feb. 24. The office will report on insurance and pharmaceutical pricing and monitor the amount the city is spending on healthcare services, The National Law Review reported July 5.
2. The New York City Office of Healthcare Accountability will be established by the mayor as either a standalone office, within the office of the mayor or within a city agency or department, according to the report.
3. The mayor will appoint a director of healthcare accountability. The director will provide recommendations regarding healthcare and hospital costs, according to the report. The director will also analyze city expenditures on healthcare costs for city employees, retirees and their dependents. The director will also convene healthcare stakeholders to examine the costs of healthcare services in the city.
4. The office's website will provide information regarding the prices of common hospital procedures based on any publicly available information, according to the report. The information will be formatted to allow for price comparisons between hospitals.