Patients’ Group Urges Trump to Enhance Healthcare Price Transparency

A nonprofit patient rights advocacy group is calling on President Donald Trump to take decisive action to improve price transparency in healthcare. This push comes as the White House prepares to unveil a new healthcare proposal. The organization, PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, emphasizes the need for clearer information regarding healthcare costs to empower patients and reduce financial burdens.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Cynthia Fisher, the founder of PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, urged Trump to prioritize transparency measures. She stated, “You recently articulated a compelling vision: Americans, not insurance companies, should be in control of their healthcare dollars.” Fisher believes that enabling individuals to understand their healthcare expenses will ensure fairness and accountability within the system, which has historically favored corporate interests.

Fisher specifically recommended that the Trump administration collaborate with the Department of Labor to guarantee that employers offering healthcare receive comprehensive access to claims, payments, and fee structures. This transparency is crucial for helping employers negotiate lower costs for their employees.

Additionally, Fisher encouraged Trump to support the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, a bipartisan initiative led by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). This legislation aims to mandate hospitals to disclose the actual prices of approximately 300 services and to provide itemized bills, breaking down costs for each service rendered.

Implementing such measures would shift power away from insurance companies and private equity firms, granting it back to patients, employers, and labor unions. Fisher highlighted that these initiatives would build upon previous actions taken by Trump’s administration.

In February, Trump signed an executive order directing the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments to enforce transparency regulations. These regulations require hospitals and insurers to disclose actual healthcare prices rather than estimates, promoting consistency in pricing across different facilities.

The timeline for releasing the new healthcare proposal remains uncertain. According to media reports, it could be unveiled as early as Monday, though White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not confirm any specific dates. She indicated that healthcare is a priority for the president, particularly as Republicans navigate the complexities of extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire by the end of 2025. This issue contributed to funding negotiations that led to the government shutdown in October.

Despite challenges in bipartisan discussions, there is considerable public support for enhanced transparency in healthcare costs. A September poll conducted by Echelon Insights, a Republican-leaning polling firm, revealed that nearly 90% of U.S. voters advocate for regulations that would require hospitals and insurance companies to provide exact pricing from the outset.

David Kochel, a Republican campaign strategist, noted, “The data I’ve seen is crystal clear: 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.” He characterized this initiative as a potential turning point for the Republican Party as they prepare for the 2026 elections, suggesting it could help restore public trust in their approach to healthcare.

As the healthcare debate continues, the emphasis remains on the need for greater transparency and patient empowerment in managing healthcare costs. These developments highlight the ongoing discussions surrounding healthcare reform in the United States and the potential for significant changes in the near future.