Trump Orders Hospitals And Insurers To End Hidden Pricing Practices

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring hospitals and insurers to make healthcare pricing fully transparent, aiming to eliminate unexpected medical costs for American families. This action mandates federal agencies to implement and enforce strict rules within 90 days, ensuring patients can see actual prices before receiving care.

The directive builds on a previous attempt in 2019, which was met with legal challenges and industry resistance. Hospitals and insurers have argued that revealing negotiated rates could undermine competition, while Trump has insisted that transparency will empower patients to make informed choices.

Polling shows strong public support for price transparency. A survey found that 92% of Americans want hospitals and insurance providers to disclose real prices, not estimates. Another study revealed that 95% of respondents consider price transparency a critical issue, given the rising costs of medical treatment.

Trump addressed these concerns directly while signing the order. “People deserve to know what they’re paying before they get the bill,” he said. “This is about making sure healthcare works for the patient, not just the insurance companies.”

Economic experts estimate that implementing transparency across the healthcare system could lead to significant cost reductions. A study projected that making prices public could save consumers, employers, and insurers up to $80 billion annually. Businesses could cut expenses by nearly 27% for common medical procedures by selecting providers with competitive pricing.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy praised the order, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement to hold insurers and hospitals accountable. The move follows legal actions against the Biden administration for failing to uphold previous transparency mandates.

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