Trump Expands Healthcare Transparency Rules To Lower Costs For Patients

President Donald Trump has taken new action to expose hidden healthcare pricing, signing an executive order that forces hospitals and insurance companies to reveal the actual costs of services. The order, which builds upon a 2019 initiative, is intended to stop surprise billing and give patients more control over their medical expenses.

The order directs federal agencies to finalize and enforce price transparency regulations within 90 days. The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services must ensure that hospitals and insurers clearly list real costs for treatments, procedures, and prescription drugs. The goal is to prevent patients from being blindsided by unexpected charges.

Surveys indicate overwhelming public support for transparency in healthcare pricing. One poll showed that 92% of Americans favor requiring medical providers to disclose actual prices. Another study found that 95% of Americans consider healthcare transparency a major priority, as unpredictable pricing has made it difficult for families to budget for medical expenses.

Hospital and insurance companies have pushed back against these efforts, arguing that making negotiated prices public could disrupt competition. Trump dismissed those concerns, stating that the changes will benefit patients by allowing them to compare costs and make informed decisions. “This is about high-quality care,” he said. “You’re also looking at cost. And in some cases, you get the best doctor for the lowest cost. That’s a good thing.”

Economic experts predict that full transparency could lead to substantial cost reductions. One analysis found that businesses could lower their healthcare expenses by an average of 27% by taking advantage of competitive pricing. Additionally, price transparency in prescription drugs could result in billions of dollars in savings by preventing inflated costs and backroom deals between insurers and pharmaceutical companies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy praised the order, calling it a win for consumers. “We are fulfilling our promise of radical transparency in healthcare,” he posted on X. The Biden administration previously faced criticism for failing to enforce prescription drug transparency laws, and Trump’s order now puts hospitals and insurers on notice.

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