Justin Barbera

Hello,

Thank you for sharing Stephanie’s story and for the important advocacy work you do for families across New Jersey. No family should face financial ruin simply because a loved one needs lifesaving medical care.

As someone who personally lives with the autoimmune disease Pemphigus, I understand how quickly medical costs can become overwhelming—even when families have insurance.

During the first administration of Donald Trump, the federal government implemented hospital price transparency rules requiring hospitals and insurers to publicly disclose the actual prices of medical services, including negotiated insurance rates and the cost of hundreds of common procedures. These rules took effect in 2021 and were designed to give patients the ability to compare costs and make informed healthcare decisions.

However, compliance has been uneven across the country, and many hospitals have been slow to fully implement transparent pricing.

That is why New Jersey must take additional action. Legislation introduced in the state legislature—such as bills creating a Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission and an Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency—aims to strengthen oversight and require clearer reporting of healthcare pricing in our state.

I support codifying strong healthcare price transparency protections into New Jersey law so patients and families know the real cost of care before treatment whenever possible. By requiring clear billing practices and holding providers accountable, we can protect residents from surprise medical bills and reduce the risk of medical debt.

Families dealing with medically complex conditions should not have to rely on emergency relief funds just to stay afloat. I will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and policies that lower healthcare costs and protect families across New Jersey.

Thank you again for sharing your story and for your advocacy on behalf of families.

Justin Barbera for Congress

609 353 4108

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