Donald Trump insisted this would be good for the American people
Donald Trump has certainly made some waves since return to the White House and one of his latest new executive orders could shift things significantly in the healthcare industry.
Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at boosting transparency for patients when it comes to healthcare costs. The directive requires healthcare providers and insurers to publicly disclose their prices, empowering patients to compare costs before deciding where to seek treatment. Historically, healthcare prices have remained hidden behind closed doors, negotiated in private between doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and insurers.
This bold move has gained support from those who believe it will promote fairness and clarity in the system. It also represents a more assertive effort to enforce regulations that Trump initially introduced in 2019, which were later overturned by President Biden.
Donald Trump passionately defended his new executive order earlier this week, calling it a major step toward reducing healthcare costs. Standing before reporters, he remarked, “This is one of the most significant things we can do to lower healthcare expenses. It may take some time to fully take effect, but when Biden came in, he ended it immediately, which I believe was a terrible mistake.”
Trump went on to highlight the improvements made in the new order, saying, “We’ve strengthened it with a couple of key changes. It gives people the ability to negotiate prices—something that was unheard of before. When you visit a hospital or doctor, you’re not even allowed to discuss pricing. This order changes that, and it’s one of the biggest steps forward for cutting costs.”
While acknowledging that the move has been met with resistance in some circles, Trump stood firm in his belief that it would ultimately benefit patients, adding, “There are those who have long seen the advantages of this. This is the most significant action you can take to lower prices.”
Trump acknowledged that the new order may not be favorable for pharmaceutical companies or hospitals, admitting, “It might not be great for the drug makers or the hospitals. But if you have a top-tier hospital that truly excels, this will benefit them, because everyone will want to go there.”
Despite Trump’s optimistic view that the policy will ultimately lower prices, industry groups within the insurance sector have raised concerns. They argue that regulations on pricing could actually lead to higher premiums for consumers.
Additionally, during Trump’s previous administration, hospital groups voiced strong objections to the policy, claiming that the mandate to disclose prices for every service violated their First Amendment rights. They argued that it undermined their ability to negotiate prices with insurers, stripping them of the flexibility to strike deals that suited their needs.
