Baucus Comment on Transparency in Health Care Costs

MEMORANDUM

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today commented on the hospital billing data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  The data showed large, random variations in the amounts hospitals bill for the 100 most common inpatient procedures.  From Chairman Baucus:

“The data shows that there is no rhyme or reason to how much hospitals bill patients for common procedures.  Exposing this information to the light of day is a major step forward in the effort to bring down health care costs.

“Patients should be able to compare prices and get the care that’s right for them, just like families across America do when they shop for food or consider buying a home.  That’s why the Affordable Care Act made price transparency a priority.  Informed consumers make smart, efficient choices.”

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