11.21.2024 / Press Release

NEW REPORT: Americans Could See Major Savings on Routine Imaging Services if Congress Makes, “Same Service, Same Price” a Reality 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Families USA today released a new report showing that patients could save as much as $1,000 on a routine imaging service like a knee MRI scan if Congress passes a comprehensive same service, same price policy solution. While savings vary by state, the new report indicates patients would see significant savings if Congress acts to close a loophole that currently allows hospitals to charge more for procedures just because they are done in a hospital setting.

“Our new report shows what we have known all along – big hospital corporations are inflating their prices and charging people more for the same care, just because they can get away with it. If an MRI costs $500 in one facility, there’s no reason it should cost $2,500 in another,” said Sophia Tripoli, senior director of health policy at Families USA. “At a time when voters across the political spectrum have told policymakers to ensure their economic security, there is no better way to respond to those calls than to pass legislation that will make health care more affordable. Congress must demand more transparency in our health care pricing and push for common sense solutions that will lower costs for our nation’s families. Same service, same price is bipartisan and will directly lower health care costs for our nation’s families and we are urging Congress to get it done.”

The analysis looks at one of the most common medical procedures, a knee MRI, and estimates how much the average person in America with commercial insurance could save if Congress passed a comprehensive solution that would require services cost the same price, regardless of where care is delivered.