New Senate bill targets insurers in transparency push

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has proposed a bill requiring insurers to tell people what they would have to pay out of pocket for any in-network treatment or prescription drug.

The bill is part of the broader push in Congress and from the Trump administration to force health care prices out in the open.

The Senate health committee led by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) is expected to release a packet of bills shortly all aimed at cutting some of the fat out of the health care system to save money for patients and the government.

But the Senate Finance and Judiciary committees are also forging legislation to lower costs, including for prescription drugs.

The U.S. House of Representatives continues to work on its plan to tackle health care costs as well. The chamber's Energy and Commerce Committee this week produced its draft proposal to ban surprise medical bills. The House is also voting on the Creates Act and a ban on "pay-for-delay" tactics — although Democratic leadership is packaging the legislation along with measures to boost funding for Obamacare marketing and outreach and rescind the Trump administration's expansion of short-term plans, effectively forcing a party-line vote.