OUR PRIORITIES: AFFORDABILITY

A lower price only counts if it reaches the pharmacy counter.

Most pricing debates are about prices patients never see. We focus on what patients actually pay, and whether promised savings ever reach them.

AdobeStock_954582156
THE CHALLENGE

Why Healthcare Affordability Matters

Even patients with health insurance can face significant financial barriers to care. High deductibles, unpredictable out-of-pocket costs, and complex benefit designs often make it difficult for families to access the treatments they need.

Patients Rising works to advance policies that strengthen financial protections for patients while giving individuals greater transparency and control over how their healthcare dollars are spent. When patients can see where money is going and make informed choices about care, healthcare spending is more likely to deliver real value in improved health outcomes.

When healthcare costs become unaffordable, patients delay treatment, skip medications, or face serious financial consequences — outcomes that ultimately make the healthcare system less effective and more expensive for everyone.

POLICY APPROACH

Key Affordability Policy Areas

Protection from Excessive Out-of-Pocket Costs

Even insured patients can face large deductibles and cost-sharing requirements that make necessary care difficult to afford. Policies should ensure patients can access treatment without facing unpredictable financial burdens.

Insurance Benefit Design Reform

Insurance benefit structures shape whether patients can access treatment when they need it. Reforms that simplify benefit design and improve transparency help ensure patients understand their coverage and avoid unexpected costs.

Health Savings Accounts and Patient Control

Expanding Health Savings Accounts and related tools can give patients greater control over healthcare dollars and allow families to make more informed decisions about care.

Financial Protections Against Medical Debt

Unexpected medical bills remain a leading cause of financial hardship. Policies that improve billing transparency and strengthen patient protections can reduce the risk of medical debt and bankruptcy.