Moreno Joins Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency in Hospital Billings

WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) joined Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) as a cosponsor of the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, bipartisan legislation to require meaningful price transparency in healthcare so patients can see the true cost of procedures, medications, and services before receiving care.

"The days of hospitals rigging the system to hide prices from patients have to end," said Senator Moreno. "Ohioans shouldn't need to break the bank to afford their healthcare, and providers must be transparent about costs. This bill is a critical step toward putting American patients first and ensuring the system works for everyone."

"Rising health care costs are crushing Americans. Our bipartisan bill makes health care price tags the law of the land so patients and businesses know what they're paying for in advance-a commonsense step toward a health care system that works better for American families. Let's get it across the finish line!" said Senator Hickenlooper.

"Transparency brings accountability, and it's clearly time for more transparency in health care prices. Our bipartisan legislation is a common-sense solution that will hold health care providers accountable, and it will give Americans the timely and accurate information they need to make the best decisions for them," Senator Grassley said.

"American patients should know up front how much they are going to pay. I'm proud to support the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act to give Ohioans and all Americans greater transparency and certainty about the cost of their care," said Senator Husted.

"Patients deserve to know costs upfront- it's that simple. By codifying these transparency requirements, we're making sure that no future administration can roll back this critical consumer protection. When families can compare prices and make informed decisions about their healthcare, it puts power back where it belongs: in the hands of patients, not bureaucrats or hospital billing departments," said Senator Lummis.

"Obamacare screwed up our entire healthcare system," said Senator Tuberville. "As a result, it's nearly impossible for Americans to get a straightforward quote on how much a procedure is going to cost. Patients should be able to know upfront exactly how much they will be paying. President Trump has done his part via Executive Order-now it's Congress' turn to do our job. I'm proud to join Sen. Marshall in introducing this meaningful legislation."

"Wisconsinites are struggling to afford their health care, and we need to do everything we can to lower costs. Our health care system too often puts profits before patients, and we need to pull the curtain back and let families see the true cost of the care they are getting. I'm proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to bring basic transparency so we can foster competition and lower prices for Wisconsin families," said Senator Baldwin.

"At a time when health care costs are skyrocketing, patients deserve transparency about the true cost of procedures, medications, and services to make informed decisions about their care and their family's finances," said Senator Booker. "The Patients Deserve Price Tags Act is common-sense legislation that promotes price transparency, protects patients from overcharges, and allows them to make informed health care decisions."

The Patient Rights Advocate is another supporter of this legislation and also found in a separate report that it would have savings up to $1 trillion annually.

"The Marshall/Hickenlooper Patients Deserve Price Tags Act will truly transform healthcare to greatly lower costs through consumer empowerment benefiting from price competition and prices protecting from overcharges making hospital and insurance billing be honest," said Cynthia Fisher, Founder & Chair of Patients' Rights Advocate.

"We applaud Senators Marshall and Hickenlooper for their ongoing commitment to enhancing health care price transparency requirements that will ensure employers have access to information necessary when making decisions on benefit design for the millions of Americans who receive coverage through their employer," said ERIC President and CEO James Gelfand. "Moreover, strong transparency requirements of providers, including hospitals, and plans will empower workers and their families to select high-quality, affordable health care, drugs, and services, helping ease the ever-growing pressures health care costs have on employers and workers alike."

"Patients Deserve Price Tags Act is a critical step toward delivering high-quality care at lower costs for patients. Price transparency starts with clear, accessible information and this bill will empower patients to compare prices before they seek care. Real transparency and accountability are essential in helping unions make informed negotiations on behalf of workers and will ultimately help drive down costs. The Patients Deserve Price Tags Act moves us closer to that goal," said Kevin Lyons, Member Benefits Director for the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association.

"At a time when health care costs are ballooning out of control and Americans continue to make clear that affordability is a top priority, we applaud Senators Marshall and Hickenlooper for introducing the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act. This robust, pro-consumer, bipartisan legislation will ensure that every family in America knows exactly how much a big hospital will charge them before they receive medical care and services," said Sophia Tripoli, senior director for health policy at Families USA. "As long as big hospital corporations and health care systems are able to keep their prices hidden, they will continue to jack up prices year over year with no transparency or accountability from the public or lawmakers. The Patients Deserve Price Tags Act would bring much needed transparency to hospital pricing and help us hold the health care sector accountable for the unfair price gouging practices that are hurting patients and families."

The Patients Deserve Price Tags Act requires the publication of real, upfront healthcare prices across the system so patients can compare costs before receiving care. The bill also requires itemized billing, prevents actions when bills exceed published prices, and directs health plans to provide Advanced Explanations of Benefits, so patients know their out-of-pocket costs in advance.

Senator Moreno joins Senators Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on the bipartisan bill.

Read the full bill text HERE.