Health Care

Pa. hospitals face new penalties for failing to disclose patient costs under bipartisan bill

If passed, it would be just the latest state to consider buttressing federal transparency requirements.
Show is a sign at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania hospitals that fail to publish their patient costs could soon face new penalties under a bipartisan measure advancing in the legislature.

The bill, which is headed to the House floor after advancing from the Health Committee on Wednesday, would require hospitals to inform patients of facility fees and post a list of standard charges on their websites, in compliance with federal rules. Hospitals that don’t fall in line would face fees and penalties from the state in addition to federal enforcement, including a prohibition on debt collection action against patients.

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