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PatientRightsAdvocate.org Supports New Price Transparency Bill

On July 17, 2025, PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA), a prominent organization focused on healthcare advocacy, expressed strong support for the recently introduced legislation known as the 'Patients Deserve Price Tags Act' (S. 2335). This bill, championed by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO), aims to enhance federal transparency in healthcare pricing, making it easier for patients to understand costs before receiving care.

Cynthia A. Fisher, the founder and chairwoman of PRA, emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, "With actual, upfront, and accountable prices, patients will be able to shop for the best care without the fear of unexpected overcharges lurking in the shadows." The need for such transparency is underscored by a study indicating that 96% of Americans believe they deserve to know the price of their healthcare ahead of time. Furthermore, 90% of individuals see upfront pricing as a matter of fairness.

A Personal Account Highlighting the Need for Transparency

Kerry Schrader, a patient from Hoover, Alabama, shared her personal struggles with healthcare costs, detailing her experience when seeking a price for a biopsy. After receiving no clear pricing information, she opted for the procedure only to be presented with a staggering bill of over $28,000. Despite having insurance, she faced severe financial repercussions. Her story illustrates the core issue at hand: patients are often obligated to commit to significant medical procedures without having a clear understanding of their financial obligations.

Schrader expressed hope that the 'Patients Deserve Price Tags Act' would provide the clarity needed for patients like her, granting them the financial certainty they deserve and holding hospitals accountable for exorbitant costs.

Key Provisions of the 'Patients Deserve Price Tags Act'

The bill boasts several important provisions aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the healthcare system:

1. Enhanced Transparency Requirements: The legislation lays out comprehensive transparency rules for health plan intermediaries, who often contribute unnecessary costs to the healthcare system.
2. Accountability for Third-Party Administrators: It mandates that Employers’ and unions’ group health plan Third Party Administrators (TPAs) disclose detailed information about claims and financial transactions, including those involving Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).
3. Stronger Compliance Standards: The act seeks to bolster existing hospital price transparency regulations. Hospitals will be required to publish actual dollar amounts for services rather than estimates and face stiffer penalties for noncompliance.
4. Codification of Transparency in Coverage: It codifies provisions to ensure that health plan executives attest to the accuracy and completeness of pricing information provided to consumers.
5. Itemized Billing Requirements: The act also mandates that all commercial healthcare providers furnish detailed explanations of benefits and itemized bills, eliminating the problematic practice of patients signing blank checks.

These provisions follow a clear public demand for accountability in healthcare pricing and aim to foster a more navigable environment for consumers in what has traditionally been a convoluted space.

About PatientRightsAdvocate.org

Founded with the goal of promoting system-wide transparency in healthcare, PatientRightsAdvocate.org actively engages in advocacy, legal research, and grassroots campaigns. The organization strives to ensure that healthcare pricing is visible and accessible, believing that such transparency will significantly reduce costs for both patients and employers in a competitive healthcare marketplace.

In conclusion, the introduction of the 'Patients Deserve Price Tags Act' represents a pivotal step towards achieving greater fairness and transparency in healthcare costs. With widespread public support and compelling testimonies like that of Kerry Schrader, advocates are hopeful that this legislation will garner the necessary backing from lawmakers to transform healthcare pricing drastically.