Senate Passes Bill Allowing Patients Access To Hospital Price Information

COLUMBUS—Today, the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 49, which requires hospitals to comply with the federal price transparency law. This includes maintaining and making a public list of standard charges for services that a patient may schedule in advance. The bill was backed by State Senator Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) as the Chair of the Medicaid Committee and member of the Health Committee.

Ohioans deserve the opportunity to do their own healthcare research," said Romanchuck. "The federal government has already implemented this policy but having it as a state law will protect access in case the federal law is not enforced. Patient rights should be preserved to make a basic decision when they need health services."

House Bill 49 requires any hospital not in compliance to pay a penalty. Lastly, it stops medical debt collectors from sharing or reporting any patient medical debt to an agency for a period of one year after the patient’s first bill.

The bill passed out of the Senate and now goes to the House for concurrence.