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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-05-06

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill increases healthcare price transparency and protects consumers from unexpected medical bills by requiring hospitals to publicly disclose pricing for common procedures, mandating advance notice of out-of-network providers, limiting facility fees, and establishing good-faith cost estimates for scheduled procedures. It also strengthens insurance appeals processes and removes requirements for certificate-of-need approval for rehabilitation facilities.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue the bill helps patients make informed healthcare decisions by providing clear pricing information, which increases competition and may lower costs.
• •It protects consumers from surprise bills and unexpected out-of-network charges.
• •The bill also establishes fair billing practices by requiring itemized charges before collections and limiting facility fees charged by hospitals, while strengthening patient rights in insurance appeals.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may contend that compliance costs for hospitals and insurers could be substantial and may ultimately increase healthcare expenses.
• •Some argue that price transparency alone doesn't guarantee lower costs if patients lack practical ability to switch providers, and that facility fee restrictions could reduce hospital revenues needed for operations.
• •Concerns exist about administrative burden of new reporting requirements and whether good-faith estimates accurately reflect final charges given medical uncertainties.