United States of Care Submits Statement to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Full Committee Hearing with Health System CEOs

On May 12, United States of Care (USofCare) submitted a statement for the record to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means. Our statement responds to the full Committee’s Hearing with Health System CEOs. 

In our statement, we urge the Committee to address excessive hospital prices as the Committee places health care affordability into sharper focus. Since launching in 2018, USofCare has consistently listened to people about the health care system and their experiences with it, raising cost as consistently the first – and most prominent – issue people face. A recent poll from USofCare found that 49% reported experiencing at least one financial pressure related to a medical bill in the past two years. With the burden of high health care costs, many decide not to seek care altogether.

One resounding truth is clear: people are struggling to pay for the care they need. A growing body of research shows that provider consolidation is raising out of pocket health care costs for consumers. As Congress works on the health care affordability crisis, we urge policymakers to follow state momentum and consider facility fee limitations, improved price transparency, site neutral payments, and ensuring reasonable prices in anticompetitive markets.

USofCare is grateful to submit a statement for the record and looks forward to further engagement with the Committee on these issues.