Bill · S. 2355· Senate(119-S-2355)
Patients Deserve Price Tags Act
- Introduced
- 7/17/2025
- Last activity
- 7/27/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 522.
- Sponsored by
- Roger Marshall
- Cosponsors
- - 11 - 14
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This legislation, known as the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals, clinical diagnostic laboratories, imaging service providers, and ambulatory surgical centers to make their standard prices publicly available on the internet.
The bill requires health plans and insurance issuers to provide individuals with self-service tools and regular data updates detailing in-network rates, out-of-network allowed amounts, and accumulated cost-sharing information.
Administrative service providers and pharmacy benefit managers must disclose fee structures, rebates, and payment methodologies to group health plans, prohibiting contracts that restrict data access.
The legislation mandates that health plans provide itemized explanations of benefits within a specified timeframe after receiving payment requests for medical items and services.
Healthcare providers are restricted from engaging in extraordinary collection actions or billing amounts substantially in excess of prior good faith estimates unless medically necessary.
The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms, civil monetary penalties for non-compliance, and audit requirements for federal agencies to oversee hospital and insurer price transparency.
Yes· 3 of 11
Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act?+5
The bill amends the ACA to enhance the transparency of health plan coverage and rate information.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill significantly increases transparency in healthcare billing and pricing.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill enhances consumer protections by requiring price transparency and 'hold harmless' provisions against unexpected medical charges.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Healthcare providers and insurers may face increased compliance costs and higher potential penalties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Hospital Price Transparency: Under Section 2. Hospital Price Transparency, hospitals are required to post standard charges, gross charges, discounted cash prices, and payer-specific negotiated charges on an internet website on a quarterly basis. This makes it easier for individuals to shop around and compare prices before receiving care.
-
Clear Billing and Good Faith Estimates: Under Section 10. Requirement for Explanation of Benefits, individuals are protected from being held responsible for charges that are substantially in excess of a good faith estimate or advanced explanation of benefits, provided the services were not due to unforeseen medical necessities.
-
Access to Itemized Bills: Under Section 11. Transparency in Billing, healthcare providers and facilities must provide written notices regarding patient access to itemized bills within 30 days of a request, free of charge, including plain-language descriptions and applicable billing codes.
-
Health Plan Cost Tracking: Under Section 6. Strengthening Health Coverage Transparency Requirements, health plans and issuers must provide self-service tools that allow individuals to track real-time cost-sharing information, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and frequency or volume limitations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Operational Disruption Risks: Under Section 2. Hospital Price Transparency and Section 3. Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Price Transparency, civil monetary penalties can be imposed on facilities for non-compliance, though waivers may apply if the Secretary determines that maximum penalties would disrupt operations in a manner impacting patient care. No direct negative burdens on patients are explicitly outlined in the text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Increases Affordable Care Act Support+5Reduces Hospital Costs+4Improves Healthcare Access+3Reduces Private Insurance Premiums+3Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Business Owners-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- 9/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 522.
- 7/22/2026
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 11/20/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- Alan Armstrong
Republican · Oklahoma
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Markwayne MullinRepublican · Oklahoma
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts