New transparency report card; states must step up to help consumers gain access to health care prices

Consumers have information readily available on the quality and prices of restaurants, cars and household appliances, but not for health care options. While we’ve made some progress, shockingly little information still exists about health care prices, even for the most basic services. Several studies have shown that the price for an identical procedure can vary as much as 700% with no difference in quality, and with health care comprising 18% of the U.S. economy and costs rising daily, it’s troubling that most prices are still a mystery.

The Catalyst for Payment Reform (CPR) and the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3) have been pushing health plans and providers to share price information more freely and are seeing progress. But public policy—or even just pending legislation—can provide a powerful motivator as well.

Today CPR and HCI3 have released a new Report Card on State Price Transparency Laws. The report shows that most states are not doing their part to help consumers be informed and empowered to shop for higher value care. The report find that 72 percent of states failed, receiving a “D” or an “F,” and only two receive an “A.”