Sponsored legislation from State Rep. Ryan Berman promoting transparency — within a larger plan that works to improves the quality of health care in Michigan while making it more accessible and affordable for residents — advanced in a vote by the House Health Policy Committee today.

House Bill 4349 requires hospitals to post digital copies of what they charge on their website for public viewing. Commonly referred to as a “chargemaster,” these comprehensive lists include a breakdown of a hospital’s products, procedures, and services while outlining costs for everything from prescription drugs to supplies for diagnostic tests.

“This should be a simple principle as it relates to consumers,” said Berman, of Commerce Township. “Health care costs can be incredibly steep for hard-working people and their families. The unknowns of these costs are even worse for them. We can eliminate some of the stress and confusion as it relates to cost through the passage of this bill. This is about transparency for providers and their patients.”

This reform is one of several in the bipartisan plan to address health care in Michigan. A full list of proposed reforms included in the plan is available here: https://gophouse.org/posts/house-bipartisan-health-care-plan.