Hospital Patients are getting slammed with huge bills for COVID19 Testing and Treatment

Show Guest: Cynthia Fisher

patientrightsadvocate.org

The coronavirus has amplified our need to have real-time, complete access to our electronic health information as use of telemedicine increases. But for telemedicine to work best, especially during the telemedicine, patients and their physicians need easy access to patients’ complete medical information. With access to entire electronic health records on their smartphones, patients can share their records with physicians, caregivers, and family members anywhere at any time.

According to Cynthia Fisher, founder and president of Patients’ Rights Advocates, this is our moment in time, where we are at a crossroads where we either deliver to America a free market, or Medicare for all. As lawmakers call for a fourth coronavirus relief bill, Congress has an opportunity to cement rules that 91 percent of Americans want – ones that will make complete price transparency the law. Requiring hospitals and insurers to reveal their cash and secret negotiated prices will not only empower patients by putting them in charge, but will also help employers and workers.

A Phase IV stimulus package is in the works. It is our hope that this time Congress will listen to what 91 percent of Americans want, despite how much money they get paid to vote otherwise.