12.12.2023 / Statement

Families USA: House takes historic step to protect families from financial ruin and address corporate hospital pricing abuses and greed head on, passes bill with overwhelming bipartisan support

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yael Lehmann, interim executive director of Families USA, issued the following statement applauding the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 5378, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act — bipartisan legislation that will improve health care price transparency and tackle pricing abuses that lead to unaffordable health care.

“The House took a historic step forward for America’s families by passing the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act. Today, Members of Congress put politics aside to come together and reject the greed of medical monopolies that want the green light to secretly set any price for their health care services – and will take any opportunity to keep those prices hidden – at the expense of the health and financial security of our nation’s families.

“We appreciate the hard work from Members and staff on both sides of the aisle to advance this critical legislation. These bipartisan champions recognized that every family across this nation deserves to know exactly how much a big hospital corporation will charge them before they receive medical care, and that people shouldn’t have to pay more for those same services just because a hospital has purchased their doctor’s office. This bill saves taxpayers money by eliminating wasteful spending on abusive pricing practices and reinvesting those savings back into health care services that will help deliver real health in communities across America – Community Health Centers, provider training programs, and support for hospitals that serve large numbers of people with low incomes. We urge the Senate to build on this momentum by bringing similar legislation to the floor early in the new year, and get the job done for patients and families across the country.”

Families USA and 16 other organizations representing consumers, patients, clinicians, and employers today called on the House of Representatives to pass the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act without delay, citing how critical this legislation is to making health care more affordable for millions of people and families across the country. The letter is available here.

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Families USA, a leading national voice for health care consumers, is dedicated to the achievement of high quality, affordable health care and improved health for all.