House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on June 10 examining policies to increase healthcare transparency. Lawmakers reviewed a broad package of proposals addressing hospital and insurer price transparency, employer access to health plan data, prior authorization reporting, Medicare Advantage oversight, and healthcare ownership transparency.

A consistent theme throughout the hearing was that transparency alone is not enough. Members and witnesses emphasized that information must be accurate, understandable, and actionable for employers, consumers, and policymakers to make informed decisions.

Key topics included:

· Employer access to health plan data: Witnesses stressed the importance of giving employers access to claims, reimbursement, and rebate information to better evaluate plan performance and manage costs.

· Prior authorization and claims denial transparency: Members discussed proposals requiring plans to report approval, denial, and appeal data, giving consumers and employers greater visibility into how coverage decisions are made.

· Healthcare ownership transparency: Members explored how consolidation, vertical integration, and private equity ownership may affect costs, competition, and patient choice, with several expressing support for stronger ownership disclosure requirements.

· Medicare Advantage oversight: Lawmakers examined issues including prior authorization, denial rates, supplemental benefits, medical loss ratios, and broker compensation.

Source: National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals