September 28, 2026
Half of U.S. hospitals still fall short on price transparency, Alliance says
Health care consumers need clear prices to control costs and make informed decisions
WASHINGTON — The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries today noted a new report saying more than half of U.S. hospitals still are not fully complying with federal price transparency rules, leaving patients without the complete information they need to compare costs before receiving care.
PatientRightsAdvocate.org reviewed 2,000 hospitals nationwide and found 50.6% were not fully compliant, while 49.4% met the federal requirements. Only 18% posted dollar-and-cents prices for at least half of the items and services in their files. The federal hospital price transparency rule took effect in 2021.
“Patients should be able to know what medical care will cost before they receive it, not discover the price after the bill arrives,” said Randall Hultgren, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries. “Price transparency is essential if Americans are going to take charge of their health care costs and make informed choices for their families.”
The report, highlighted by Health Care Dive, found compliance has improved sharply since 2024, when PatientRightsAdvocate.org found only 21.1% of hospitals fully compliant. Still, more than 1,000 hospitals in the latest review posted incomplete files or information that did not meet required formats.
The findings echo concerns raised in an earlier Alliance commentary which stated that federal rules require hospitals to make negotiated rates, cash prices and other pricing information accessible to patients. The organization argued that meaningful transparency gives consumers leverage to challenge excessive bills and seek fair prices.
“A system that hides prices until after care is delivered puts patients at a serious disadvantage,” Hultgren said. “Nowhere is this acceptable in a modern economy. The insurance-driven shell game needs to end.”
Millions of Americans of faith have turned to Health Care Sharing Ministries, which are not health insurance. Through these ministries, members voluntarily share eligible medical expenses according to ministry guidelines. Ministry staff may also help members navigate the medical system and negotiate lower prices, while chaplains can provide prayer and spiritual support.
“Health Care Sharing Ministries give Christians another way to approach medical expenses with greater freedom and community support,” Hultgren said. “But every patient, regardless of how medical expenses are handled, benefits when hospitals clearly disclose prices before care is provided.”
The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries represents the common interests of member Health Care Sharing Ministries and advocates for their religious liberty and ability to facilitate the sharing of health care costs among Christians.
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries is a 501(c)(6) trade organization representing the common interests of Health Care Sharing Ministries, which are facilitating the sharing of health care needs (financial, emotional, and spiritual) by individuals and families, and their participants. The Alliance engages with federal and state regulators, members of the media, and the Christian community to provide accurate and timely information on health care sharing.
To learn more about the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, visit www.ahcsm.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
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To interview a representative from the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
