Executive Order Forces Hospitals to Reveal True Prices Now
Published Date: 2/28/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
This new order makes healthcare prices clear and easy to find for patients and employers across America. Hospitals and health plans must share detailed, upfront costs for services and drugs, helping everyone shop smarter and save money. These changes aim to cut healthcare costs by billions by 2025, making care more affordable and fair for all.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Hospitals and Plans Must Post Prices
Hospitals must keep a consumer-friendly display of pricing for up to 300 shoppable services and a machine-readable file with negotiated rates for every service. Health plans must post their negotiated rates with providers, their out-of-network payments to providers, the actual prices they or their pharmacy benefit manager pay for prescription drugs, and keep a consumer-facing internet tool for price access.
Require Actual Prices, Not Estimates
Within 90 days of February 25, 2025, the Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services must take action to require disclosure of the actual prices of items and services, not estimates. This means patients and employers should be able to see the real price that will be charged rather than a rough guess.
Transparency Could Cut Healthcare Costs Significantly
The order cites an economic analysis estimating transparency regulations, if fully implemented, could yield as much as $80 billion in healthcare savings for consumers, employers, and insurers by 2025, and a report suggesting employers could reduce costs by 27 percent across 500 common services. Recent data cited shows the top 25 percent most expensive service prices fell 6.3 percent per year after initial transparency steps.
Standardize Prices to Make Comparison Easy
Within 90 days of February 25, 2025, the same Secretaries must issue updated guidance or proposed rules to make pricing information standardized and easily comparable across hospitals and health plans. The goal is to let patients and employers compare prices side-by-side.
Stronger Enforcement of Transparency Rules
Within 90 days of February 25, 2025, the Secretaries must issue guidance or proposed rules updating enforcement policies to ensure complete, accurate, and meaningful price reporting. The Federal Government will increase enforcement of price transparency requirements.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18835, Excluding Certain Canadian Products From Importation Into the United States in Response to Continued Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Alcoholic Beverages
The U.S. is blocking some Canadian products from coming in because Canada is unfairly stopping American alcoholic drinks from being sold there. This move hits Canadian imports to balance the playing field and protect U.S. businesses. The changes start right away and could affect trade money flows between the two countries.
2026-18837, Excluding Certain Canadian Products From Importation Into the United States in Response to Continued Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Motor Vehicles
The U.S. is putting extra taxes on some Canadian motor vehicles and parts because Canada is treating American car products unfairly. These new rules started on August 22, 2026, after Canada stopped trying to fix the problem. This affects Canadian exporters and could make their products more expensive in the U.S., protecting American businesses.
2026-18839, Modifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Motor Vehicles
The U.S. is keeping extra taxes on some Canadian motor vehicles and parts because Canada isn’t playing fair with U.S. car exports. These extra duties started August 22, 2026, after Canada broke a promise to fix the problem. This affects Canadian exporters and aims to protect American businesses from unfair trade practices.
2026-18836, Excluding Certain Canadian Products From Importation Into the United States in Response to Continued Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Dairy
The U.S. is blocking some Canadian dairy products from entering the country because Canada is treating American cheese unfairly with extra fees. After Canada promised to fix this but backed out, the U.S. put extra taxes on Canadian goods starting August 22, 2026. This move aims to protect American dairy businesses and keep trade fair.
2026-18838, Modifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Alcoholic Beverages
The U.S. is keeping extra taxes on some Canadian products because Canada is unfairly blocking American alcoholic drinks while letting others in. After a brief pause hoping Canada would fix this, they didn’t, so the taxes started on August 22, 2026. This affects Canadian exporters and aims to protect American businesses from unfair treatment.
2026-18738, Accelerating Access to Veterans' Benefits and Employment Opportunities
This new order helps veterans get their benefits and jobs faster by fixing slow and messy record-sharing between the military and Veterans Affairs. Within 180 days, updated tech and smart digital tools will make it easier for veterans to apply for healthcare, education, and job training. This means less waiting and smoother transitions for millions of veterans, with no extra cost delays.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03439, Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Copper
The U.S. is worried about relying too much on other countries for copper, a key metal used in defense, clean energy, and tech. To keep America safe and strong, the government is launching a big investigation to check if copper imports threaten national security and to boost U.S. copper production. This means changes could come soon, affecting businesses and possibly prices, as the U.S. works to secure its own copper supply.
Next: 2025-03462, Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Ukraine
The President is keeping the national emergency about Ukraine going because Russia’s actions still threaten Ukraine’s peace and security. This means U.S. sanctions and restrictions stay in place to protect democracy and stop misuse of Ukraine’s resources. The emergency continues without changes for now, signaling ongoing U.S. support and pressure, with no new costs or deadlines announced.