The proposed "Hospital Price Transparency Act" aims to prohibit hospitals from initiating or pursuing collection actions for debts incurred when they are not in compliance with established price transparency laws. Specifically, if a hospital fails to maintain and publicly provide a list of standard charges for at least 300 shoppable services, it cannot collect debts related to those services. The act outlines the requirements for the list, including the need for plain-language descriptions, payer-specific negotiated charges, discounted cash prices, and other relevant billing information. Additionally, the act mandates that this list be easily accessible on the hospital's website without any barriers to access.

If a patient can demonstrate that a hospital was not compliant with price transparency laws at the time services were provided, they may file a civil action against the hospital. Should the court find the hospital in material noncompliance, the hospital is required to refund any payments made, pay penalties, dismiss any related court actions, and rectify any negative credit reporting associated with the debt. The act clarifies that it does not prevent hospitals from billing patients or third-party payers for services rendered, nor does it require refunds if no collection action is taken in violation of the act.