Trump Administration Warns 500+ Hospitals, Threatens $2 Million Fines Over Price Transparency
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 9
Trump Administration Warns 500+ Hospitals, Threatens $2 Million Fines Over Price Transparency
1 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 9
Summary
More than 500 hospitals have received warning letters or demands for corrective plans since April after failing to post basic pricing data, with annual penalties reaching $2 million per hospital for continued noncompliance.
The administration says missing or unclear price files keep patients, employers and insurers from knowing costs for tests and treatments in advance, allowing healthcare spending to stay higher than it should.
Texas led the list with 42 hospitals warned, followed by Indiana with 34; recipients included Baptist Medical Center in San Antonio, MD Anderson in Houston and 13 Ascension hospitals across multiple states.
The push revives enforcement of transparency rules tied to Trump's 2019 executive order, and officials said more hospitals are likely to be targeted as the White House sharpens its affordability message before the midterms.
Hospital groups said most members comply but acknowledged the system needs improvement, while critics note price files are often more useful to consultants than consumers and Trump still polls weakly on healthcare, with 29% approval.