Congressman Morgan Griffith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered an opening statement on June 10 at a hearing focused on lowering health care costs by examining policies to increase transparency. The hearing, titled ‘Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: Examining Policies to Increase Health Care Transparency,’ aimed to address ways to improve price transparency in the health system.
Griffith said, “Today’s hearing will examine ways we can work to improve health care price transparency.” He emphasized that affordability has long been a priority for the committee and Congressional Republicans. Griffith highlighted previous efforts built upon President Trump’s initiatives and stressed the importance of empowering Americans with better information and data.
“For too long, patients, families, and employers have faced a health system where the cost of care is often unclear—sometimes even unclear after care is delivered,” Griffith said. He added that greater transparency is essential for creating a consumer-driven marketplace where patients can make more informed decisions about their care. “When patients have a better understanding of the costs associated with medical treatments, procedures, and services, they are better positioned to compare options, seek high-value care, and avoid unexpected medical bills.”
Griffith also addressed market competition issues due to consolidation among insurers and providers. He stated that codifying existing regulatory pathways could standardize rules across administrations: “That’s why codification is important, as it aims to allow for a more standardized format and implementation of rules for hospitals and insurers to follow.”
During the hearing, members discussed several legislative proposals including an updated version of the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act—which passed in 2023—and H.R. 5582 (the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act). These proposals aim to strengthen requirements so that hospitals and other providers offer upfront pricing information; some would require Medicare Advantage plans and commercial insurers to publicly post prior authorization data.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee focuses on legislation concerning energy policy as well as health care matters such as pharmaceutical pricing; it traces its origins back to 1795 as one of Congress’s oldest standing committees, according to the official website.