Madison, WI – Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin (AFP-WI) is proud to support the Price Transparency for Patients Act, a transformative piece of legislation introduced by Senators Julian Bradley (SD-28) and Mary Felzkowski (SD-12), and Representative Bob Wittke (AD-63). This bill aims to empower patients and reduce health care costs through price transparency in the health care sector.
Currently, Wisconsin has the highest hospital costs in the Midwest and ranks fifth highest in the nation. By mandating hospitals to publish prices for routine, shoppable services in an easily accessible format, this bill will enable patients to make more informed decisions about their health care services.
“Transparency helps drive competition, which ultimately reduces health care costs for patients and businesses,” stated AFP-WI State Director Megan Novak. “High health care costs affect families and businesses not only in Wisconsin but across the nation. This bill represents a significant step towards alleviating that burden and empowers patients with the knowledge to make these important decisions.”
The current state of our health care system and the soaring cost of care pose a serious challenge for many, and inflation has only exacerbated the problem. Unlike other sectors, health care often requires patients to purchase services without knowing the cost upfront.
Federal hospital price transparency rules implemented in 2021 marked an initial step towards solving this issue, but compliance has been alarmingly low. The Price Transparency for Patients Act ensures hospitals consistently publish their prices in a consumer-friendly format. This will allow patients to compare and understand the costs of routine, shoppable services. With overwhelming bipartisan support in states like Texas and Colorado, Wisconsin is poised to lead the way in health care price transparency, empowering its citizens to become consumers.
View this release online HERE.
