NJ A5376

Establishes the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency within the Department of Health to collect hospital pricing data, support cost containment efforts, and publish studies aimed at reducing health care spending growth

Creates an 18-member Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission to set a health care cost growth benchmark and hospital price growth benchmark, with members serving five-year staggered terms

Requires health care entities exceeding cost or price benchmarks to submit performance improvement plans, with the commission authorized to impose civil penalties for non-compliance

Prohibits hospitals not in compliance with federal price transparency requirements from collecting medical debt from patients, including referrals to debt collectors, lawsuits, or credit reporting

Imposes civil penalties of $10 per day per hospital bed for hospitals failing to comply with price transparency requirements, with the Department of Health required to submit annual compliance reports to the Governor and Legislature