A bill with bipartisan support has been introduced in Wisconsin to require hospitals to provide cost information for certain items and services they provide. These prices would need to be available to the public in a digital file that is easily readable and posted in a prominent location on a hospital’s website homepage. The bill provides for financial penalties on a sliding scale based on the number of beds, for hospitals that don’t comply with the law.
Medical issues and resulting medical bills put incredible stress on families. In fact, medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in America. And financial stress is a factor in many divorces. Transparency in hospital costs would help families be wise consumers and be better prepared as they engage medical care. Strong families make for a strong Wisconsin.
