President Donald Trump has signed an executive order forcing hospitals and insurance companies to disclose the real costs of medical services, a move aimed at ending surprise billing and hidden pricing schemes that have frustrated patients for years. The directive requires federal agencies to ensure compliance within 90 days.
The order strengthens a similar initiative from Trump’s first term, which sought to eliminate secret pricing agreements between hospitals and insurers. Under the new directive, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services must enforce rules that require providers to list actual costs — not just estimates — for procedures, medications, and treatments. American patients have long demanded greater transparency in healthcare.
"Before you complain about Trump cutting Medicare, libs, think long and hard about how much is going into the millionaires and billionaires that you say you hate so much."@CarlHigbie explains why healthcare price transparency is needed. pic.twitter.com/wpVWiHDOEV
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) February 25, 2025
A survey conducted by the Patient Rights Advocate found that 92% of Americans support requiring hospitals and insurers to disclose actual prices. Another study revealed that 94% of adults believe providers should be legally required to list negotiated rates and cash prices in an easy-to-access format online.
Thank you, President Trump, for delivering on your promise to empower patients and lower costs through healthcare price transparency! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/a4cQQjsbdl
— PatientRightsAdvocate.org (@PtRightsAdvoc) February 26, 2025
Despite strong public support, hospital organizations previously challenged Trump’s price transparency rules in court, arguing that disclosing negotiated rates would interfere with private contracts. The industry’s resistance has kept many healthcare costs hidden, leading to unpredictable medical bills. Trump, however, made it clear that his administration is committed to ensuring transparency. “You’re not allowed to even talk about [costs] when you’re going to a hospital or see a doctor,” he said while signing the order.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS EO TO MAKE HEALTHCARE PRICES TRANSPARENT @rickdelgadorad reports. “There’s always an issue with prices. Hopefully, this will be one of the solutions as RFK, Jr. begins to take hold of HHS.@slickricksports @damonroberts @lfs6b pic.twitter.com/IAik3rkZHO
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) February 26, 2025
Studies suggest that full enforcement of price transparency rules could generate billions in savings. A 2025 analysis estimated that transparency could lower healthcare costs by $80 billion by allowing patients and employers to compare prices and choose the best options. Employers, in particular, could cut healthcare spending by 27% for common procedures by shopping for competitive rates.
Trump signs bombshell order set to turn US healthcare on its head
The ruling directs regulators to force healthcare providers and insurers to publicly disclose their prices, the idea being to make it easier for consumers to shop around for better deals.https://t.co/23t62TnaQI pic.twitter.com/9TWzsozMrZ
— Trump2024_no_matter_what (@TexasTrump2024) February 26, 2025
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy praised the move, calling it a major step toward transparency. “This executive order will empower patients with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions,” he wrote on X. The order comes as the Biden administration faces legal challenges for failing to enforce previous transparency requirements for prescription drugs.
