SB 953: RELATING TO HOSPITALS.

Establishes the State's Hospital Price Transparency Act.  Prohibits hospitals from taking certain debt collection actions against a patient if the hospital is not in compliance with hospital price transparency laws.  Allows patients and patient guarantors to file suit against hospitals in violation.  Requires hospitals to make public and post their Medicare reimbursement rates no later than 10/1/25 and deems violations as an unfair and deceptive act or practice.  Requires the Department of Health to conduct performance assessments of hospitals for adherence to federal transparency rules annually and make a list of hospitals with poor performance available on its website no later than 2/1/2026.  Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules.