Requiring publication of hospital chargemasters and providing a penalty

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill requires each hospital to file a copy of its chargemaster with the Department of Health Services on an annual basis. The bill defines the term “chargemaster” as “a uniform schedule of charges represented by the hospital as its gross billed charge for a given service or item, regardless of payer type.” Under the bill, hospitals must also make a written or electronic copy of the chargemaster available, either by posting an electronic copy of the chargemaster on the hospital website or by making a written or electronic copy available at the hospital location.

If a hospital chooses to post an electronic copy on its website, the hospital must ensure it is posted in a conspicuous location on the website. In addition, hospitals must post a notice in the emergency department, if any, in the admissions office, and in the billing office that informs patients about the availability of the hospital's chargemaster. Finally, the bill imposes a forfeiture of $100 for each day a hospital violates these requirements.

Who's behind it

14 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 14 are Democrats.

1 more lawmaker signed on in support⁠.