On November 21, 2025, PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) expressed strong support for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as it implements measures aimed at enhancing healthcare price transparency. This initiative follows President Trump’s commitment to fostering a healthcare system where patients can access actual prices, rather than estimates, for medical services.
Key Developments in Price Transparency
The recently announced 2026 OPPS Final Rule represents a significant advancement in the administration’s transparency agenda, which was underscored by a February 2025 Executive Order. PRA Founder and Chair Cynthia Fisher emphasized the importance of this rule, stating, “We applaud the Trump Administration and HHS for strengthening hospital price transparency through the 2026 OPPS Final Rule.” She noted that the requirement for hospitals to disclose actual prices in standardized formats empowers patients to make informed financial decisions.
Fisher highlighted the current challenges faced by many American families burdened with high medical expenses. “Having actual prices from hospitals before care gives power to the patients to benefit from competition and lower costs,” she remarked. This sentiment is echoed by statistics showing that 96% of Americans believe they should know the cost of their healthcare in advance, while 90% view upfront pricing as a matter of fairness.
Calls for Accountability and Enforcement
Despite these positive changes, Fisher pointed out ongoing issues in the healthcare system. She noted that 25% of hospitals continue to publish pricing files that do not meet the standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “For five years, too many hospitals have evaded the law through obfuscation and omission,” she said. Fisher called on Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz to enforce strict accountability, recommending substantial fines for executives who fail to comply with transparency requirements.
The PRA also urged the administration to mandate full disclosure of all negotiated terms, outliers, and carve-outs in upcoming rulemaking sessions. Fisher concluded, “When every hospital’s data is accurate, complete, and accessible, true transparency will finally deliver fair and affordable healthcare for all Americans.”
PRA is committed to advocating for healthcare price transparency and aims to ensure that patients and employers benefit from a competitive healthcare marketplace. The organization employs various strategies, including advocacy, legal research, and grassroots campaigns, to promote visibility of actual healthcare prices.
This development marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to ensure that healthcare costs are transparent and accessible, potentially transforming the landscape of medical billing and patient empowerment.
