The Price is Right: RSC Applauds Trump Administration Efforts to Improve Healthcare Price Transparency
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For years, Big Healthcare hid behind mountains of duplicative and confusing pricing data, making it impossible for the average American to know in advance how much a doctor’s visit, MRI, or other medical service will cost them. The Trump administration is putting an end to this deceptive practice with a new rule requiring healthcare entities to provide pricing information that is clear, accessible, and actionable. By giving Americans clearer information about what their care will cost before they receive it, this rule will help patients compare prices and providers, make more informed healthcare decisions, and help employers make better decisions about the health benefits they offer their workers.
Members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) have advocated for greater price transparency in the healthcare system during the 119th Congress. In “Making the American Dream Affordable Again,” the RSC proposed requiring health insurance companies and providers to disclose cash prices for medical care and disclose out-of-network access to low-cost providers, enabling patients to pay cash rates for care and see the doctor they want.
Here’s what RSC Members had to say about the Trump administration’s new healthcare transparency rule:
“For too long, the corporations that pay for our care have gone to great lengths to hide costs and bury patients in complexity. The Trump administration's new rule requires health plans to give patients clear, reliable pricing information, online or over the phone, so patients can compare costs and make informed decisions. And for the first time, insurers will have to attest that their pricing data is accurate and complete, with a top executive's name attached. Transparency drives competition, and competition lowers costs. That's a win for patients, employers, and taxpayers alike,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01).
“For more than 30 years behind the pharmacy counter, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for patients to understand what their healthcare will actually cost. President Trump’s new rule gives Americans clear, actionable pricing information before they receive care, not weeks later when the bill arrives. Greater transparency means more choice, more competition, and lower costs for patients,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01).
“Americans should know what their care will cost before the bill arrives. When patients can compare prices, hospitals and insurers have to compete for their business, and that competition brings costs down. President Trump's rule puts patients in charge of choosing the healthcare that works best for them and their families,” said Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08).
“Healthcare is the only place where Americans are expected to sign a blank check before receiving care. I appreciate President Trump and Administrator Oz fighting to bring real price transparency to patients and challenge the healthcare monopolies that have driven up costs and taken away choice,” said Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05).
“For too long, Americans have been asked to make some of the most difficult decisions of their lives without knowing what their care will actually cost. As an emergency room physician, I spent decades caring for patients at their most vulnerable, and I know the last thing a family facing a medical crisis should have to worry about is whether getting the care their loved one needs will threaten their financial security. President Trump is putting patients back at the center of American healthcare — right where they belong. When patients know the cost of care upfront, they can better understand their options, demand accountability, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07).
“Americans deserve to know what they’re paying for when it comes to healthcare. For too long, a lack of transparency has made it difficult for patients to compare their options and understand their coverage. I’m grateful to President Trump and HHS for taking action to improve healthcare pricing accessibility. Through these new transparency regulations, increased competition will help lower costs and benefit families across Western North Carolina,” said Rep. Tim Moore (NC-14).
“As a primary care doctor for over 25 years, I know the importance of providing patients with full transparency so they can make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and their families. When patients have price transparency, they make informed decisions about the services they choose to receive, which in turn can help reduce healthcare costs for all Americans. I applaud the Trump administration for delivering simplified price transparency rules that will let Americans responsibly manage both their health and their financial well-being,” said Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-03).