S.B. 953 Summary

• Establishes the Hospital Price Transparency Act prohibiting hospitals from pursuing debt collection actions against patients if the hospital is not in material compliance with federal hospital price transparency laws on the date services were provided.

• Allows patients to file suit to determine if a hospital was materially non-compliant with price transparency requirements, and requires hospitals to halt collection actions while lawsuits are pending.

• Requires hospitals found in violation to refund paid amounts, pay penalties equal to the total debt owed, dismiss court actions with attorney's fees and costs, and remove credit report entries related to the debt.

• Mandates all hospitals post their Medicare reimbursement rates by October 1, 2025, and deems failure to comply an unfair and deceptive practice.

• Requires the Department of Health to conduct annual performance assessments of hospital compliance with federal price transparency rules and publish a list of poorly-performing hospitals on its website by February 1, 2026.