Trump's Patient-Friendly Push on Hospital Costs Has Limits
Shining a light on one of American health care’s darker corners is laudable, but transparency alone won’t fix the problem.
Indecipherable bills may get some sunlight, but the system still needs disinfectant.
Photographer: Joshua Roberts/BloombergThe Trump administration believes in the power of transparency, at least when it comes to health care.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday afternoon that calls for hospitals to tell patients how much they charge for surgeries and other services. These expenses eat up a bigger chunk of America’s health budget than the prices charged by oft-maligned drugmakers, and the hope is that giving consumers better visibility will help them shop for cheaper options. The order follows similar efforts focused on drug prices, including one that would force pharmaceutical companies to disclose the list price of medications in ads.