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Nevada’s Healthcare Transparency: A Game Changer

In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare affordability, PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) is pushing Nevada's Governor Joe Lombardo to endorse A.B. 343. This pioneering legislation aims to provide price transparency within the state’s hospitals, a vital reform that has been gaining momentum across the nation. With the bill successfully passing through the Nevada Legislature, it is now in the hands of Governor Lombardo to make healthcare history by signing it into law.

The Essence of A.B. 343

A.B. 343 is designed to mandate that all Nevada hospitals disclose their actual service prices online, enabling patients to understand the costs involved before receiving care. This legislation is a direct codification of the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule first enacted in January 2021 during Donald Trump’s presidency, which has recently expanded.

Cynthia Fisher, the Founder and Chairman of PRA, expressed the transformative potential of this bill, stating, "A new era for Nevada patients is on the horizon." The legislation is poised to shield Nevada residents from unexpected hospital costs, surprise medical bills, and hidden fees by guaranteeing upfront access to true prices in clear monetary terms. Fisher believes that full price transparency will drastically reduce healthcare costs for families, employers, unions, and the broader market in Nevada.

The Demand for Transparency

Recent polling conducted by Echelon Insights revealed overwhelming support for healthcare price transparency among Americans, with 96% in favor of consumers being aware of upfront care costs. However, despite the pressing public demand, PRA’s Seventh Semi-Annual Hospital Price Transparency Report indicates a troubling compliance rate — only 35% of Nevada hospitals are fully adhering to the federal price transparency regulation. Nationally, merely 21% of the 2,000 hospitals analyzed meet compliance standards.

Such statistics highlight the urgent need for states like Nevada to adopt robust transparency laws to protect consumers. The push for transparent healthcare pricing is gaining traction across the country, attracting bipartisan support as lawmakers recognize its necessity.

A Call to Action

PRA commended the efforts of Nevada lawmakers, particularly the bill’s sponsor, Assembly Speaker Yeager, for acting decisively on this essential and popular issue. The movement for real prices transcends state lines, with Nevada arguably standing at the forefront of this urgent national dialogue.

Governor Lombardo's signature on A.B. 343 would place Nevada alongside other states like Ohio and Oklahoma, which have already implemented similar legislation to enhance healthcare transparency. Fisher urged the Governor to “seize the opportunity at hand” and make a decisive move for healthcare reform that prioritizes patient rights and wellbeing.

About PatientRightsAdvocate.org

PatientRightsAdvocate.org is a leading national advocacy group committed to ensuring price transparency within the healthcare sector through various initiatives, including advocacy, legal research, and grassroots campaigns. PRA firmly believes that making actual, upfront prices available to consumers will significantly lower healthcare costs in a competitive marketplace, fundamentally shifting the dynamics between patients and healthcare providers for the better.

As Nevada stands on the brink of monumental healthcare reform, all eyes are on Governor Lombardo. The enactment of A.B. 343 could spell the beginning of a new standard in patient rights and healthcare affordability not just in Nevada, but nationwide.