Sabrina Corlette

The Trump administration's 2025 pledge to reduce prior authorization barriers in healthcare has faced criticism as insurers delay full implementation, while patients and advocates report little improvement. AHIP claims 6.5 million prior authorizations were eliminated, but critics call the pledge 'performative' and lacking enforcement. A House committee recently advanced a bill to mandate transparency in Medicare Advantage prior authorization processes.

Stephanie Campbell required a hip replacement after a fall but faced a $125,000 self-pay cost at Piedmont Medical Center, far exceeding regional averages. The Campbells, without insurance due to Joe Campbell’s pastoral role, discovered significant price disparities between providers, with other hospitals offering similar procedures at lower costs with discounts. Experts highlighted the lack of price regulation in U.S. healthcare, contributing to unpredictable expenses for self-pay patients.