Advocacy Group Praises Ohio's Bipartisan Hospital Price Transparency Legislation

Ohio Takes a Bold Step Toward Hospital Price Transparency

In a significant move for healthcare consumers, PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) has commended the Ohio General Assembly for the bipartisan passage of essential legislation that aims to bring transparency to hospital pricing. The organization is now urging Governor Mike DeWine to promptly sign this bill into law, which would revolutionize how hospital services are priced in Ohio.

The legislation, known initially as House Bill 49, was introduced by State Representatives Tim Barhorst and Ron Ferguson back in February 2023. Recently, it passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously as a part of a larger amendment to H.B. 173. If enacted, this law would mandate that all Ohio hospitals publicly display the prices for their services online, fostering an informed healthcare marketplace.

Cynthia Fisher, the founder and chairman of PRA, expressed her validation of the legislation, stating, "By passing this strong price transparency bill, Ohio legislators ignored special interests and stood up for Ohio healthcare consumers. For far too long, patients were left in the dark regarding healthcare costs, often leading to unforeseen expenses. This bill ensures that patients can access vital information about pricing, thereby empowering them to make informed choices."

Being the first state to require upfront prices for hospital services, Ohio is paving the way for other states in the nation to follow. The law's goal is to provide Ohio patients, families, employers, and healthcare consumers with the power to tackle overcharges head-on and make educated decisions based on fair-market rates. As Fisher puts it, the legislation's passage represents a monumental shift in the patient experience.

"Patients can finally remove the blindfold and stand against unjustified hospital charges. With this law, we firmly believe it will lead to a noticeable decrease in healthcare costs within Ohio. We're urging Governor DeWine to sign this bill into law immediately to ensure its benefits are realized promptly," Fisher added.

Importantly, this legislation proposes to codify the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule enacted in January 2021 under former President Donald Trump. According to PRA's recent report, only 13% of Ohio's hospitals are currently complying with this federal regulation. Nationally, compliance stands at a meager 21% of hospitals, underlining the need for stronger legislative measures.

The bipartisan support for this bill was evident when it passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a sweeping vote of 90-5 in June 2023. The legislation gained momentum as stories surfaced from Ohioans who suffered due to unexpected hospital bills and hidden fees. Patients like Tracey Owens and Drew White ascribed their hardships to a lack of transparency in healthcare pricing.

Tracey Owens, a resident of Norton, Ohio, expressed, "Price transparency, as articulated in the Ohio legislation, empowers patients to avoid outrageous healthcare costs and choose affordable care. It forces hospitals to compete over price and quality. The signing of this bill will help prevent more people from becoming victims of the predatory healthcare system."

Drew White from Cincinnati also highlighted the need for upfront pricing. He shared that if hospitals were obligated to display their surgery costs, he could have compared charges and selected care based on both quality and affordability. "Price transparency will be a game-changer for the American healthcare system and put an end to exorbitant medical bills."

To amplify the message of the bill and gather public support, PRA launched campaigns that included a dedicated website, RealPricesForOhio.com, and strategic advertising efforts. These campaigns played a crucial role in raising awareness and urging legislative action.

About PatientRightsAdvocate.org

PatientRightsAdvocate.org is a national organization committed to healthcare price transparency. Through advocacy, testimonies, and grassroots campaigns, PRA aims to create a competitive healthcare marketplace that provides patients with access to upfront prices, ultimately reducing costs for both patients and employers. The ongoing efforts by PRA highlight the significance of clarity in healthcare expenditures and its potential to reshape the healthcare landscape in the United States.