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PC 1189

Para crear la “Ley de Transparencia de Precios en los Servicios Médicos de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de establecer la obligación de las instituciones médicas de divulgar pública y electrónicamente los cargos estándares de los artículos y servicios que ofrecen; establecer la política pública de acceso a información clara y oportuna sobre los costos de los servicios médicos; disponer limitaciones a las acciones de cobro cuando no se hayan divulgado los precios conforme a esta Ley; facultar al Departamento de Salud a fiscalizar su cumplimiento; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Requires medical institutions to publicly disclose standard prices for medical services and items in an accessible electronic format, with DOH enforcement.

Referido a Comisión(es)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PC 1189

Overview

Bill PC 1189 (Session 2025-2028; Puerto Rico) aims to create the “Ley de Transparencia de Precios en los Servicios Médicos de Puerto Rico.” The core goal is to require medical institutions to publicly disclose standard charges for medical items and services in a public, electronic format. The measure establishes a public policy to ensure clear and timely information about the costs of medical services, sets limits on debt collection actions for non-disclosed prices, authorizes the Department of Health to enforce compliance, and addresses related purposes.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a transparent pricing framework for medical services in Puerto Rico.
  • Ensure patients and the public have accessible, timely information about the costs of medical services and items.
  • Promote accountability among medical institutions by requiring public disclosure of standard prices.
  • Provide regulatory guardrails to protect consumers in the event prices are not disclosed.

Key provisions and changes

  • Public disclosure obligation: Medical institutions must disclose publicly and electronically their standard charges for articles (supplies/items) and services they offer.
  • Format and accessibility: Information must be available in a public, electronic format, facilitating easy access and comparison.
  • Public policy commitment: The law would declare the public policy favoring transparent, understandable cost information for medical services.
  • Enforcement and compliance: The Department of Health is authorized to monitor and enforce compliance with the pricing disclosure requirements.
  • Consumer protections in collections: There would be limitations on collection actions when prices were not disclosed in accordance with the law, aiming to shield patients from aggressive collection practices tied to undisclosed prices.
  • Related provisions: The bill may include additional provisions to define scope (which institutions and services are covered), timelines for implementation, penalties for noncompliance, and potential exceptions or transition periods.

Who and what would be affected

  • Medical institutions in Puerto Rico that provide healthcare services or bill for medical items and services.
  • Patients and the general public who would gain access to disclosed pricing information.
  • The Department of Health, responsible for monitoring, reporting, and enforcing compliance.
  • Healthcare providers and payers may adjust billing practices to align with disclosed standard charges.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced and in First Reading as of March 19, 2026; referred to relevant committees.
  • Initial action: Radicado (filed) on March 17, 2026.
  • Next steps: Committee review, potential amendments, and subsequent floor votes. If enacted, there would typically be a defined implementation timeline for institutions to begin disclosures and for the department to establish rules, reporting mechanisms, and enforcement protocols.

Potential impact

  • Increased price transparency could enable patients to compare costs, make informed treatment choices, and anticipate out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Hospitals and clinics would need to establish or adjust pricing disclosure systems, potentially requiring IT and administrative updates.
  • The Department of Health would gain regulatory authority to oversee disclosures, potentially leading to penalties for noncompliance and more consistent pricing information across providers.
  • Overall, the bill seeks to reduce price opacity in Puerto Rico’s medical services market and protect consumers from unclear billing practices.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific sections you expect to see in committee, or add hypothetical timelines based on similar transparency statutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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