Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Sign up for the Impact Today

house Bill H.R. 876

Should Hospitals Be Required To Tell Medicare Patients How Much An Outpatient Stay Costs?

Argument in favor

Hospital care is expensive — and people have Medicare because they need help paying for it. If they are going to receive treatment that Medicare does not cover, they need to know so that they can plan accordingly.

bart's Opinion
···
03/20/2015
Greater transparency around medical costs is critical to their reduction.
Like (62)
Follow
Share
John's Opinion
···
03/16/2015
How is it that medical care seems to be the only thing that is sold without the consumer even knowing the cost? Let's keep costs out in the open where everyone can see them.
Like (28)
Follow
Share
FaithInJesus's Opinion
···
03/16/2015
Hospitals are criminal in the way they charge for services without any upfront pricing. Why are the biggest profits in most communities coming from "nonprofit" hospitals?
Like (11)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

Doctors order treatments for patients, because they are necessary, not to make money. Outpatients are designated as outpatients because doctors believe it’s medically necessary. No amount of notification will change that.

Elinor's Opinion
···
03/17/2015
No healthcare worker or entity can give an exact amount of treatment costs. After all, no federal agency does that, but you who would support this bill expect all who do NOT work for the federal government to have a crystal ball for patients' out-of-pocket expenses. How many of you have NEVER run and/or owned a business? Given the inane proposed bills I see on Countable, about all of you fit into the category of knowing nothing about business and healthcare.
Like (1)
Follow
Share
jodide's Opinion
···
05/24/2016
As a R.N. I would love to be able to vote for this, but the fact is it's impossible! Doctors, nurses, and other treatment providers are concerned with health and wellness, not so much cost. Obviously it's a factor, but it's likely the last thing focused on when trying to make somebody better. It'd be wonderful to be able to sign a consent for items possibly needed and their prices so the pt/consumer would be aware, but again, if the situation is urgent, emergent, or even unknown, this idea is simply not feasible.
Like
Follow
Share
John's Opinion
···
02/23/2016
Wheres the wellbeing of the patient fit into this plan? As with anything else sounds like a push for more insurance companies to justify cost! And make bigger profits. These profits are then funneled down to elected officials by way of lobbyists and election campaigns
Like
Follow
Share

bill Progress

  • EnactedAugust 6th, 2015
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The senate Passed July 27th, 2015
    Passed by Voice Vote
      senate Committees
      Committee on Finance
  • The house Passed March 16th, 2015
    Roll Call Vote 395 Yea / 0 Nay
      house Committees
      Health
      Health
      Committee on Energy and Commerce
      Committee on Ways and Means
    IntroducedFebruary 11th, 2015
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!

Bill Activity

  • action
    Introduced in House
  • referral
    Referred to House Ways and Means
  • referral
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • referral
    Referred to House Energy and Commerce
  • referral
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • referral
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • action
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • calendar
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • action
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 114-39, Part I.
  • action
    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
  • calendar
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 25.
  • action
    Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  • action
    Considered under suspension of the rules.
  • action
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 876.
  • action
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • action
    Considered as unfinished business.
  • vote
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 0 (Roll no. 115).
  • action
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • referral
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • action
    Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  • vote
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  • action
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  • topresident
    Presented to President.
  • signed
    Signed by President.
  • enacted
    Became Public Law No: 114-42.

bill Progress

  • EnactedAugust 6th, 2015
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The senate Passed July 27th, 2015
    Passed by Voice Vote
      senate Committees
      Committee on Finance
  • The house Passed March 16th, 2015
    Roll Call Vote 395 Yea / 0 Nay
      house Committees
      Health
      Health
      Committee on Energy and Commerce
      Committee on Ways and Means
    IntroducedFebruary 11th, 2015
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    bart's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/20/2015
    Greater transparency around medical costs is critical to their reduction.
    Like (62)
    Follow
    Share
    John's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/16/2015
    How is it that medical care seems to be the only thing that is sold without the consumer even knowing the cost? Let's keep costs out in the open where everyone can see them.
    Like (28)
    Follow
    Share
    FaithInJesus's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/16/2015
    Hospitals are criminal in the way they charge for services without any upfront pricing. Why are the biggest profits in most communities coming from "nonprofit" hospitals?
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    TDJCatholicBlogger's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/16/2015
    Absolutely. The more knowledgeable a consumer is, the more informed his choices will be.
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    Cary's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/08/2015
    How about knowing what all the healthcare costs are? Please still provide care, but at least let me know the price tag.
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    Steven's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/10/2016
    If I'm going to pay for something then I have a right to know how much I'll be paying. Not simply hand over a blank check and say fill it in and let me know whenever you get around to it.
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    Douglass's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/18/2015
    All information like this should be readily visible and transparent.
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    JonRunyan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/31/2015
    Health care prices are one thing we do not shop for in this country. This could lead to better use of healthcare $$ in the future.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Sue's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/07/2017
    Some patients don't even know they are not an inpatient and that they will be charged. Tricky way for hospitals to not be fined for readmitting a patient
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Kat's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/20/2017
    Essential. The fear of a future mystery bill is enough to make someone sick.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    JoeyP's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/19/2016
    It's only logical that if someone is paying for a service, then should know the price for said service.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    withmindbullets's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/03/2016
    People need to be informed about their medical care, and the disclosure of costs is a small but essential part of that. It can also lead to discussions about alternate therapies, drive down costs and allow people to not be blindsided into bankruptcy due to a medical emergency.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    MichaelWitthaus's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/15/2016
    Cost transparency in healthcare is one overdue.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Linda's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/07/2016
    A hospital visit is expensive and people should know what they're costs are going to be so they can make an informed decision.
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    Jenny's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/11/2017
    Transparency is always a good thing!
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    helmsworth's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/18/2015
    People have the right to know how they're being billed. This increased transparency could also be a step in meeting people where they're at when it comes to paying for medical care.
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    Elinor's Opinion Against
    ···
    03/17/2015
    No healthcare worker or entity can give an exact amount of treatment costs. After all, no federal agency does that, but you who would support this bill expect all who do NOT work for the federal government to have a crystal ball for patients' out-of-pocket expenses. How many of you have NEVER run and/or owned a business? Given the inane proposed bills I see on Countable, about all of you fit into the category of knowing nothing about business and healthcare.
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    Patricia's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/23/2015
    I just got hit with this was released and went home and fekk several time..PT recommended that I go to an aftercare facility but because I was place on observation that was not possible..I now am having difficulty in breathing and am reluctant to go back...its because I have a dx that is poorly understood and am at the mercy of hospitalist system. I am now rethinking my hospital choices
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    RobertAllport's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/16/2015
    Reasons stated
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    Emily's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/21/2017
    It is not fair for patients to be left with a huge bill without any sort of warning.
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE