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US Congress - Fighting for Patients' Rights: Price Transparency in Medicine

On July 31, 2025, healthcare policy expert Chris (Christin) Deacon testified before the U.S.

Senate about why healthcare costs are so high and how transparency can change everything. Chris has led one of the nation’s largest public health plans and now works with unions, governments, and large employers to cut waste and demand accountability, representing tens of millions of people.


Her message was clear: patients deserve to know the real cost of their care. For too long, prices have been hidden, middlemen have profited in secret, and those footing the bill have been left in the dark.


At CCC Health, we share this vision. True free-market healthcare starts with open, honest pricing that lets patients compare options and make the best decisions for their health and budget. That’s why we’ve made price transparency a core part of our Direct Primary Care model —> no surprises, no hidden fees, just care you can trust.


The Big Problems She Identified

  1. Hidden Hospital Prices

    1. Hospitals are supposed to share the prices they charge, but most still don’t follow the rules or make the information too hard to use.

    2. Without clear prices, patients can’t compare costs and employers can’t guide people to better deals.

  2. Employers in the Dark

    1. Many insurance companies refuse to give employers full records of what’s actually paid for care.

    2. Without these details, employers can’t catch overcharges or spot waste — and that cost eventually gets passed to patients.

  3. Prescription Drug Middlemen (PBMs) Playing Games

    1. PBMs often favor expensive drugs that give them bigger rebates, even when cheaper, equally good options are available.

    2. Patients end up paying more out-of-pocket, while the savings are kept secret.

  4. Special Drug Discounts Not Helping Patients

    1. The 340B program lets hospitals buy certain drugs at big discounts, meant to help low-income patients.

    2. Many hospitals instead bill full price to insurance, keep the profit, and don’t pass savings to the patient.


Real-Life Examples

  1. Hospital charging $9,000 for a drug it bought for $2,500

    1. Source: Section on the 340B Program – Chris Deacon describes how hospitals can buy drugs like Humira at deep discounts (often 50–60% off list price, sometimes as low as $0.01 per dose) but still bill employer-sponsored plans the full commercial rate (around $9,000 per injection in New Jersey).

    2. Testimony Reference: Pages 26–27 — “Humira & 340B” example.

  2. Bill under $1 million turned into $4 million due to middleman fees

    1. Source: Section on Claims Data Access – Example 1: Administrative Fees – A case involving Cigna and MultiPlan where the actual amount paid to the provider was $875,809.76, but the plan was billed $4,078,652.20. The difference (about 79%) went to administrative and intermediary fees.

    2. Testimony Reference: Page 13 — “Example 1: Identifying Administrative Fees and Intermediary Charges Through Claims Data.”

  3. PBM blocking cheaper medicine to keep rebates

    1. Source: Section on Formulary Manipulation – PBMs often exclude lower-cost generics or biosimilars from the formulary if higher-priced drugs offer larger rebates. These rebates benefit the PBM financially but raise patient costs.

    2. Testimony Reference: Pages 20–21 — “Formulary Manipulation and Higher Costs at the Counter” and “Rebate Clauses That Block Genetic Testing.”


Chris’s Solutions

  • Force hospitals and insurers to show real, easy-to-read prices.

  • Give employers full access to the bills they’re paying so they can check for waste or fraud.

  • Require PBMs to reveal all rebates, fees, and profits — and stop them from blocking lower-cost drugs.

  • Make sure drug discount programs like 340B benefit patients directly, not just hospital profits.


Bottom line is that Chris Deacon’s message is simple: “If we can see the prices, we can fix the prices.”


Transparency means patients, employers, and doctors can make better choices — and stop paying for waste and hidden markups.


Why CCC Health Makes Price Transparency a Priority


At CCC Health, we believe that healthcare should be clear, honest, and free of financial surprises. That’s why, as a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, we make price transparency a core part of how we serve our patients.


In traditional healthcare, prices are often hidden or confusing, even your employer might not know the exact amount paid for your care. This lack of clarity drives up costs and leaves patients in the dark.


DPC changes that:

  • Clear, upfront pricing: We tell you exactly what services cost before you receive them — no surprise bills months later.

  • No middlemen: Because we don’t bill insurance for our services, we avoid the markups, hidden fees, and inflated prices common in traditional systems.

  • Aligned incentives: Our only focus is providing the best care for you, not negotiating behind closed doors with insurers or pharmacy benefit managers.

  • Empowerment through knowledge: When you know what care costs, you can make informed choices that fit both your health needs and your budget.


For CCC Health, price transparency isn’t just a business policy, it’s part of restoring trust in medicine, strengthening the doctor–patient relationship, and making healthcare affordable and fair for everyone we serve.


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