SB 2277: DOH; HEALTH CARE; HOSPITALS; PRICE TRANSPARENCY; CONSUMER PROTECTION; ENFORCEMENT; FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS; CIVIL PENALTIES

Requires each hospital in the State to comply with federal hospital price transparency requirements.  Requires the Department of Health to monitor and enforce compliance.  Establishes a process for patients to challenge debt collection actions filed by noncompliant hospitals.  Requires the Department of Health to publish a list of any enforcement actions taken against noncompliant hospitals.  Requires hospitals to provide patients with an easy-to-understand itemized bill statement before initiating a debt collection action against a patient.  Effective 1/30/2050.  (SD1)