Patients’ Group Urges Trump to Enhance Healthcare Price Transparency

A nonprofit organization advocating for patient rights is urging President Donald Trump to implement measures that would enhance price transparency in healthcare. As the administration prepares to unveil a new healthcare proposal, PatientsRightsAdvocate.org is calling for immediate action to provide clearer information about healthcare costs to patients.

In a letter dated October 3, 2023, Cynthia Fisher, the founder of PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, emphasized that Americans should have control over their healthcare spending, rather than insurance companies. Fisher stated, “You recently articulated a compelling vision: Americans, not insurance companies, should be in control of their healthcare dollars.” She believes that empowering patients will restore fairness and accountability to a system that has favored corporate interests.

Fisher’s letter specifically requests that the Trump administration direct the Department of Labor to ensure that employers offering healthcare access have complete visibility into claims, provider payments, and fee structures. This transparency could help lower costs for employees.

Additionally, Fisher advocates for support of the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). This legislation would mandate that hospitals disclose actual prices for around 300 services, along with itemized bills for each service provided. Fisher argues that such efforts would shift power from insurance and private equity firms back to patients, employers, and unions.

These initiatives build on previous actions taken by the Trump administration. In February, Trump signed an executive order directing the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments to enforce transparency regulations. This order requires hospitals and insurers to disclose actual healthcare prices, rather than merely estimates. It also aims to standardize pricing across hospitals and insurers.

The timeline for the release of Trump’s healthcare proposal remains uncertain. Reports suggest it could be unveiled as soon as next week, although White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not provide further details, only indicating that healthcare is a priority for the president.

As Republicans navigate the issue of extending Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025, the healthcare proposal takes on added significance. This topic was a central point in the funding negotiations that resulted in the recent government shutdown.

Polling data indicates strong public support for greater price transparency in healthcare. According to a September survey conducted by Echelon Insights, approximately 90% of U.S. voters favor regulations that require hospitals and insurance companies to provide exact prices upfront. Republican campaign strategist David Kochel remarked, “If President Trump executes on this affordability action by forcing hospitals and insurers to reveal actual prices upfront, the American people will overwhelmingly support it.”

Kochel described the potential impact of such policy changes as significant for the upcoming electoral cycle. He stated, “This isn’t just good policy, but a potential game changer heading into 2026 and beyond.” By addressing the common issue of surprise medical bills and opaque pricing, Republicans have an opportunity to regain public trust in their healthcare agenda.

As the Trump administration continues to shape its healthcare policies, the calls for increased price transparency reflect a growing demand for accountability in a system that many believe has prioritized corporate interests over patient needs.