Lower Costs, More Transparency Act of 2026

This bill requires hospitals, clinical laboratories, imaging providers, and ambulatory surgical centers to publicly post detailed price information for their services starting in 2028. It mandates that these facilities display standard charges, discounted cash prices, and negotiated rates in a uniform, machine-readable format that is free to access and includes plain-language descriptions of services. Additionally, the legislation expands cost-sharing transparency for group health plans and insurers by requiring them to provide real-time estimates of patient out-of-pocket costs and publish rate and payment data for providers. The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms, including civil monetary penalties for non-compliance, while providing waivers for hospitals in rural or underserved areas facing immediate threats to access to care.