04.26.2023 / Statement

Families USA: Congress moves closer to a reoriented, value-centered health care system

Washington, D.C. – Frederick Isasi, executive director of Families USA, issued the following statement on the upcoming bipartisan House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health hearing, “Lowering Unaffordable Costs: Legislative Solutions to Increase Transparency and Competition in Health Care.” 

“Fresh off the heels of last month’s hearing, the House Energy and Commerce Committee continues to tackle transparency and competition issues in health care. This is a clear and positive sign that Congress is serious about solving our nation’s affordability crisis by taking on the abusive health care prices driven by large health care corporations that force millions of Americans into medical debt. 

“Meaningful action by Congress to rein in medical monopolies and lower the cost of health care for our nation’s families is sorely needed and we’re pleased to see the Committee considering so many solutions today, especially bills aimed at strengthening price transparency rules and expanding site neutral payments. As Families USA indicated at a House Energy and Commerce hearing last month, and as we’ve highlighted in our new report, achieving full transparency of health care prices and implementing comprehensive payment reforms are critical steps to help boost high-quality health care and rein in corporate gaming that drives up costs. 

 “This bipartisan effort is in step with what consumers want. Whether they live in a blue, red or purple state, every person has the right to know what a health care procedure costs and to pay the same amount for services regardless of where they are treated.”   

Today’s conversation on addressing rising health care costs is also supported by Consumers First, the alliance that brings together the interests of consumers, employers, labor unions, and primary care clinicians working to realign and improve the fundamental economic incentives and design of the health care system. Consumers First submitted this joint statement for the record encouraging the committee to consider and advance well-vetted, bipartisan, and commonsense proposals including efforts to codify and strengthen price transparency rules and expand site neutral payments, which track recommendations from their March 28 statement. 

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