Two lawmakers representing both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation that would establish state laws requiring hospitals to disclose price information for certain inpatient and outpatient procedures.
Reps. Michael Burgess, MD, (R-Texas) and Gene Green (D-Texas) introduced the bill, known as the Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2013, or HR 1326.
Along with price transparency rules for hospitals, the bill would require insurers to provide enrollees, upon their request, with a statement of estimated out-of-pocket costs for particular healthcare services.
The legislation also directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study the types of healthcare price information consumers find most useful, and how this information might be distributed in a timely and simple manner.
The American Hospital Association has thrown its support behind the bill. AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said patients should have "all available tools" to help them make decisions about their care, and that AHA will continue to work with Congress to share information that is helpful and valuable to patients. http://www.aha.org/presscenter/pressrel/2013/130326-pr-transparency.pdf
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Reps. Michael Burgess, MD, (R-Texas) and Gene Green (D-Texas) introduced the bill, known as the Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2013, or HR 1326.
Along with price transparency rules for hospitals, the bill would require insurers to provide enrollees, upon their request, with a statement of estimated out-of-pocket costs for particular healthcare services.
The legislation also directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study the types of healthcare price information consumers find most useful, and how this information might be distributed in a timely and simple manner.
The American Hospital Association has thrown its support behind the bill. AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said patients should have "all available tools" to help them make decisions about their care, and that AHA will continue to work with Congress to share information that is helpful and valuable to patients. http://www.aha.org/presscenter/pressrel/2013/130326-pr-transparency.pdf
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