Letting patients see hospital prices can help, but it will not fix the high cost of healthcare by itself. That’s what witnesses told members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health at a hearing on healthcare price transparency.

Witnesses Weigh In

Shawn Gremminger, president and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, told lawmakers that transparency is necessary, but it is not sufficient. He said Congress should also look at site-neutral payments, facility fees, and contract terms that make it harder for patients and employers to find cheaper care.

Christopher Whaley, an associate professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health, said large hospital systems have gained more power through mergers. ‘Over the last two decades, roughly 2,000 hospital mergers have produced massive health system conglomerates, increasing prices with no quality improvement,’ Whaley said.

Hospital Consolidation

Sophia Tripoli, senior director of health policy at Families USA, said hospital consolidation has cost Americans money. ‘Over the last 25 years, unchecked hospital consolidation has driven up prices by over 220%, costing hardworking Americans nearly a trillion dollars in lost wages since 2012,’ Tripoli said.

The hearing also brought attention to nonprofit hospitals. Critics say some large nonprofit hospital systems receive tax benefits while charging high prices, paying executives large salaries, and using their size to dominate local markets.

Consumer Action for a Strong Economy Chairman Gerard Scimeca said lawmakers should not stop with price transparency. ‘When five experts from different sides of the country start singing the same song in Washington, it’s clear that something needs to be done to save our healthcare system,’ Scimeca said.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.