05.04.26

Scott, Foxx to Introduce the Transparency in Billing Act

WASHINGTON — Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-03) and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) announced that they will introduce the Transparency in Billing Act. The bill would require accurate billing practices by hospitals, ensuring that group health plans pay for appropriately billed services.

"We are seeing a growing trend of hospitals acquiring independent physician offices and then charging patients higher prices even if the care they receive is essentially identical to what they received before the hospitals acquired the office. The Transparency in Billing Act prohibits hospitals from billing consumers or private health plans unless they provide sufficient information to allow payers to determine the site at which the care is provided. The American people deserve to know the full picture of the prices they are asked to pay. This bill will help ensure that health care costs are driven by those who provide the highest-quality services—not by those with the most market power,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce.

“Patients should always have the information they need to make informed health care decisions – this includes understanding the true costs associated with care. Far too often, many are hit with hidden upcharges and extraneous fees without even knowing it – this is an issue that should be rectified immediately,” said Representative Foxx. “I’m proud to put forward this bipartisan solution with Representative Scott to increase transparency and provide a positive course correction that puts patients first.”

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