Senate committee adopts amendment allowing hospitals to use online price estimator in lieu of posted lists

The Senate Committee on Rules adopted the A4 amendment to Senate Bill 1060 and moved the bill to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Senate Bill 1060 requires hospitals to make public standard charges for medical services, including gross charges, payer-specific negotiated rates and discounted cash prices, and to post pricing for at least 300 shoppable services in a machine-readable format accessible online without an account. The A4 amendment adds an option allowing hospitals to satisfy the requirement by providing an online price-estimator tool that is easy to find on the hospital website and free to use; the tool must either be approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or provide estimates for specific shoppable services and related costs.

Alyssa, a legislative staff member who summarized the bill for the committee, said: "The measure requires hospitals to publicly disclose standard charges for medical device services. This includes gross charges, payer specific negotiated rates, and discounted cash prices." Deputy Legislative Counsel Chris Alnett told the committee that the bill establishes a state-level system distinct from federal requirements: "Senate Bill 1060 does establish a separate state system that is separate from the federal requirements. It mirrors it, but it's separate." Senator Feisture Bueno expressed concern about added costs and burdens on hospitals: "I still do believe this will cause, additional burden and cost ... our hospitals are struggling to even make a profit at this point."

Supporters and some committee members argued the amendment eases duplication concerns by giving hospitals a compliance option other than maintaining a long, static list. Opponents and skeptical members warned that maintaining accurate estimates for complex or contingent care (for example, deliveries that include possible complications) may be difficult and costly. The committee record lists the measure as having a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact statement.

The committee adopted the A4 amendment by roll call and subsequently moved SB 1060 A, as amended, to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Senator Campos will carry the measure to the floor and a minority report was noted by one senator who requested further study into reducing burden while maintaining transparency.

The bill's requirements, the A4 alternative, and the committee debate make clear the state requirement would continue even if federal rules change; proponents said the option for an estimator tool is intended to balance transparency for consumers with operational burden on hospitals.