AHA Submits Comments to Senate Price Transparency Initiative

The AHA Friday submitted comments to Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Todd Young (R-IN) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) as they develop legislation to improve price transparency in the health care market and lower costs. The senators last month requested feedback from stakeholders on questions ranging from what consumer price and quality information is or should be available, who should be responsible for providing and sharing price information, and how to avoid creating unnecessary or additional burdens. The AHA’s comments describe the factors influencing health care pricing; why consumer shopping currently does not work well for the vast majority of care services; and what hospitals and states are doing to help patients understand health care pricing. “The AHA and its members stand ready to work with policymakers on innovative ways to build on efforts already occurring at the state level, and share information that helps consumers make better choices about their health care,” wrote the AHA. The senators plan to host roundtable conversations on the issue in the coming weeks.