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FIRST ON FOX: A nonprofit organization dedicated to patient rights has unveiled a billboard in New York City’s Times Square, commending President Donald Trump for his commitment to healthcare transparency within his initial 100 days in office.
The billboard, initiated by PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, will remain on display from April 28 to May 4. It highlights Trump’s executive order, signed in February, which directs the departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to ensure healthcare pricing becomes transparent.
The message on the billboard reads, “President Trump delivers healthcare price transparency,” accompanied by an image of Trump depicted as Superman. The banner prominently features the phrase, “First 100 Days!”
In his order, Trump mandated that these departments quickly implement and enforce the healthcare price transparency regulations, asserting that progress has been impeded by the current administration.
The intent of the order is to compel hospitals and insurers to disclose actual prices rather than mere estimates. Furthermore, it aims to foster a uniform pricing system across hospitals and insurers, particularly concerning prescription drug costs.
According to PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, over one-third of Americans have delayed or avoided medical care due to the fear of unexpected costs. The organization also notes that around 100 million individuals are burdened by medical debt, which remains the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States.
Cynthia Fisher, the founder and chairman of PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, described the significance of Trump’s move towards what she termed “radical” price transparency in healthcare.
“Patients soon will have access to actual prices, not estimates, before they receive care. Prices create a functional market where consumers benefit from competition and choice to lower costs,” Fisher stated. She emphasized that this initiative will empower patients to seek out the highest quality care at the best prices. Additionally, it will provide protections against overcharges, errors, and fraud, resulting in improved health outcomes at reduced costs.
Andrew Bremberg, who served as an assistant to President Trump and was the director of the Domestic Policy Council during his first term, lauded the executive order as a significant enhancement to Trump’s healthcare legacy. He remarked that the president’s commitment to delivering accurate costs, rather than estimates, exemplifies his dedication to the American people.
The executive order outlines several critical issues related to current healthcare pricing, including substantial price disparities among hospitals in close geographic proximity.
For instance, a patient in Wisconsin reportedly saved $1,095 by comparing prices between two local hospitals situated just a half hour apart.
The White House projects that if fully implemented, Trump’s initial price transparency rules could generate savings of $80 billion for consumers, employers, and insurers by 2025 based on economic analysis.
Theresa Schmotzer, a patient from Arizona, shared her experience with inflated medical costs: “The hospital wanted me to pay $3,700 upfront for a simple fibroid removal surgery. After discovering the actual price online, I realized my out-of-pocket responsibility was only $700. By having access to real prices, I saved $3,000. President Trump’s executive order on healthcare price transparency will help many individuals find real prices and save on their medical expenses.”
Various states across the nation have been championing similar initiatives through new legislation aimed at improving transparency in healthcare costs. For example, Ohio recently enacted a law mandating hospitals to post precise price details for all available services.
When signing the executive order, Trump emphasized the importance of patient choice in their healthcare decisions: “They’ll be able to check them, compare them, and choose different locations to find the highest quality care at the lowest cost. This is not only about cost but also about receiving high-quality care, where patients can find the best doctor at the best price.”
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
