This Week's Advocacy News: 'House GOP Eyes Vote on Health Transparency Bill'

September 15, 2023

House Republicans on three committees have hashed out a package (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/09/07/house-gop-eyes-vote-health-transparency-bill/) aimed at increasing healthcare transparency and extending critical health programs—and a GOP leadership aide said the legislation is being looked at for potential floor consideration this month. Over the August recess, GOP lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce committees worked to negotiate a package they could all get behind. But will Democrats support the bill? That’s still TBD.

WashingtonPost.com

ONS Perspective: Transparency influences affordability and access to care (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/healthcare-economics-through-the-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022-and-beyond). New legislation could lift the veil for the American public on topics such as pharmacy drug pricing, hospital payments, and price-posting practices for medical procedures—including cash discounts—while extending funding for key health programs such as community health centers and the National Health Service Corps. Real change in U.S. health care requires bipartisan consensus (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/prescription-medication-legislation-helps-americans-access-affordable-care). This is where the voices and stories (https://voice.ons.org/stories) of patients, nurses, and other clinicians become even more critical. Our stories provide real-life context that crosses the aisle and helps decision-makers shape policies that advance patients, practice, and the profession (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/let-your-voice-be-heard-as-an-oncology-nurse-advocate).

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