The House Ways and Means Committee amended and approved the Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 (H.R. 4822) on July 26.

The legislation would require clinical laboratories to publish cash prices for their services. It also allows the Department of Health and Human Services to require the publication of deidentified minimum and maximum insurer-negotiated rates. Failure to meet these requirements results in a warning notification and a 90-day window to reach compliance. Continued noncompliance can result in civil monetary penalties of up to $300 each day of noncompliance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may waive any applicable civil monetary penalties for facilities located in rural or underserved areas if it would result in significant hardship, including reducing patient access to care. These provisions would be effective as of Jan. 1, 2028.

The bill was ordered to be reported to the full House of Representatives to be debated and voted on.

 

Sources:

https://waysandmeans.house.gov/ways-and-means-committee-approves-legislation-injecting-greater-transparency-in-health-care-prices-and-lowering-costs-for-patients/

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HR-4822-Section-Summary.pdf