Transparency Receives Bipartisan Support at Bill Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 6, 2010

TRANSPARENCY RECEIVES BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AT BILL HEARING

Legislators agree that consumers deserve more transparent health care marketplaces

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. testified on behalf of his bill “Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010” at a hearing before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.  In remarks made by all of the Subcommittee members present, all spoke in support of working towards a freer and more open health care marketplace.

“Its no surprise that the Subcommittee embraced creating a more transparent medical marketplace,” said Kagen following the hearing.  “Competition is the essential element to capitalism, without transparency you won’t have a competitive medical marketplace to drive quality up and prices down.”

Regarding transparency in pricing the ranking Republican member of the Health Subcommittee, John Shimkus called it “an important consumer right to know issue.” He further remarked that, “transparency will drive costs down, determine quality and help consumers decide the best value at a price they are willing to pay.”

Also appearing before the Subcommittee today was Walt Rugland, non-executive CEO of ThedaCare.

"I am thrilled that Walt Rugland was able to join me today,” continued Dr. Kagen.  “His account of what we’ve been able to accomplish in Wisconsin, was vital to today’s hearing.  Thanks to Walt, we are one step closer to getting what we’ve long deserved from the health care industry- transparency on the cost and quality of care.”

The “Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010” would finally allow patients to see the price of a pill before they swallow it.

‘‘Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010,’’ authored by Dr. Kagen, specifically 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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