Third Way Statement on the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act
WASHINGTON—Third Way issued the following statement from Gabriel Horwitz, Senior Vice President for the Economic Program:
“After a year of dysfunction, it is refreshing to see Congress come together and pass meaningful reform to help patients. Third Way proudly supports the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act and applauds the House of Representatives for taking action to create a more patient-centered health care system.
“Right now, there is a lack of transparency and competition in the US health care system. Consolidation is driving up the price of medical care, leaving patients, employers, and taxpayers vulnerable. Hospitals have been largely noncompliant with federal transparency rules enacted nearly three years ago. And Medicare pays certain providers more than others for the same exact care, leaving seniors subject to higher costs.
“That’s why we’re thrilled to see the strong bipartisan vote to advance the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act. This bill would codify and expand transparency rules to strengthen compliance, ensuring patients know the price for care. It would also enact ‘site-neutral’ payment requirements in Medicare for physician-administered drugs, aligning reimbursement between hospitals and independent physicians.
“We encourage the Senate to pass this legislation—and we hope Congress builds on the reforms in this package to go even farther to reduce high hospital prices. A handful of next steps would be limiting hospital use of add-on “facility fees” for outpatient care, banning anticompetitive contracting tactics hospitals use to limit consumer choice, and expanding site-neutral payments in Medicare, ensuring that seniors aren’t being ripped off for straightforward care. Patients are in dire need of relief, and Congress should build on their momentum to give it to them.”