A broad coalition in New York is backing state legislation that would impose a first-in-the-nation cap on medical bills — aimed at hospitals that own or house outpatient clinics and charge higher rates than private practices.
Under the “Fair Pricing Act”, patient billing costs would be capped at 150% of rates set by the federal Medicare program for procedures for senior citizens.
A joint committee consisting of the powerful building workers union Local 32 BJ and an arm of the Real Estate Board of New York is bankrolling a seven figure media ad blitz to build support for the bill.
“Two patients walk into their local doctor’s offices for the same procedure but pay a very different price. This is happening all over New York because big hospitals are taking over independent doctors’ offices and driving up the cost of routine procedures,” the 30-second TV ad says.