U.S. Department of Labor Joins Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury to Improve Price and Quality Transparency in Healthcare

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the Administration's latest Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), aimed at increasing price transparency in healthcare through a combined effort of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury:

"Today's proposal outlines a path towards greater openness and transparency in our healthcare system. For too long, unnecessary barriers have prevented customers from gathering all the information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare. This Administration's proposal will allow consumers to gain greater control over their healthcare spending in a more competitive provider market.

"The U.S. Department of Labor has the primary legal responsibility for private employer-sponsored group health plans. In this proposal, the Department would be responsible for ensuring that the 131.6 million participants and beneficiaries covered by the 2.3 million group health plans under its jurisdiction receives the pricing information they deserve.

"The announcement today is an important and necessary step to put power over healthcare decisions back into the hands of the American people."