Relating to a health care entity's disclosure to patients and prospective patients of charges for certain health care services, goods, or procedures; authorizing administrative penalties.
The bill amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to require healthcare providers and facilities to maintain and publicly disclose charge lists. By posting these lists online and in physical locations where patients receive services, the legislation seeks to demystify the healthcare pricing system which has often been criticized for lacking transparency. This move is anticipated to empower patients in their healthcare choices and potentially lead to more competitive pricing among healthcare providers.
SB2014 is a significant piece of legislation aimed at enhancing transparency in healthcare costs for patients and prospective patients. This bill mandates that healthcare entities provide clear and accessible charge lists detailing the costs associated with various healthcare services, goods, or procedures they offer. The intention is to enable patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare and understand the costs they might incur before services are rendered.
Notably, the bill has sparked discussions regarding its implications for administrative penalties on healthcare entities that fail to comply with these requirements. While the legislation provides a clear framework for expectations, concerns have been raised about the fairness and feasibility of imposing penalties, especially on smaller healthcare providers. Additionally, the exemptions for entities with fewer than three full-time employees have been a contentious point, as it raises questions about equal accountability across the healthcare sector.