Sturgis-Coldwater News

State Senator Jonathan Lindsey's bill aimed at increasing medical transparency has successfully passed the Michigan Senate. The bill, known as the "Hospital Price Transparency Act," was approved by a 35-1 vote after receiving unanimous support from the Senate Oversight Committee.

Lindsey highlighted the bipartisan nature of the vote, stating, “After receiving unanimous approval from the Senate Oversight Committee, my bill passed the Senate with a vote of 35-1, marking a significant display of bipartisanship. Many of my colleagues believe that improving transparency in health care is essential for enhancing health outcomes.”

The legislation mandates that hospitals must publicly disclose their treatment and operation costs. Furthermore, it prohibits hospitals from collecting debts if they fail to comply with these transparency requirements.

Lindsey emphasized his commitment to price transparency in healthcare: “My number one policy priority has always been price transparency in health care. The fact is Americans and Michiganders have been suffering from declining health outcomes for decades. Price transparency is a necessary tool to help reverse negative health trends. While Senate Bill 95 is not the complete solution, it is an essential building block to making Michigan healthy again.”

In addition to his efforts at the state level, Lindsey noted federal actions under former President Donald Trump regarding medical price transparency. He remarked on Trump's executive order signed on February 25th titled "Empowering Patients Through Radical Price Transparency," which demands hospitals and insurers disclose actual prices rather than estimates.

“In addition to my work in Michigan,” Lindsey stated, “the Trump administration has made medical price transparency a major focus. On Feb. 25, President Donald Trump signed the ‘Empowering Patients Through Radical Price Transparency’ executive order. His executive order demands federal departments enforce that hospitals and insurers disclose actual prices, not estimates. His administration has been working tirelessly to protect all Americans, and I am excited to do my part in Michigan.”