Rugland Joins Kagen in Promoting Transparency in Health Care Pricing and Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2010

RUGLAND JOINS KAGEN IN PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY IN HEALTH CARE PRICING AND QUALITY

Walt Rugland to share Wisconsin ideas at hearing on Dr. Kagen’s bill in Washington

APPLETON, W.I.—Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. announced today that Walt Rugland will be joining him to testify at a hearing on, “H.R. 4700, the Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010” later this week.  Rugland, of ThedaCare health system in Wisconsin, will share Thedacare’s success with creating a more competitive marketplace that has improved the quality of care while lowering costs for consumers.

"I am extremely appreciative that Walt agreed to participate in this week’s hearing,” said Dr. Kagen.  “His organization has been a leader in creating higher quality care through competition in Wisconsin’s health care marketplace.  With Walt’s help, I hope that the country will now get what they’ve long deserved from the health care industry- transparency on the cost and quality of care.”

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to share ThedaCare’s successes on behalf of patients and consumers in Wisconsin with the committee,” remarked Rugland.  “ThedaCare has long been a proponent of greater transparency in healthcare costs and quality, and I am happy to support Dr. Kagen in his effort to bring the benefits that our patients enjoy to the rest of the country.”

The bipartisan hearing, scheduled to be held this Thursday by the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, brings together members of the House of Representatives that embrace the idea of transparency and are committed to ensuring that there is competition in all marketplaces. 

The hearing will be at 10am on Thursday, May 6th, in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

‘‘Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010,’’ authored by Dr. Kagen, requires any and all individuals or business entities, including hospitals, physicians, nurses, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, dentists, and the insurance entities and any other health care related providers or issuers that offer or furnish health care related items, products, services, or procedures for sale to the public shall publicly disclose, on a continuous basis, all prices for such items, products, services, or procedures in accordance with this section.

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