Trump Administration Delivers Win for Patients, AMAC Members on Healthcare Price Transparency

A new Executive Order from President Donald Trump on healthcare price transparency promises to finally put patients on equal footing with hospitals and medical providers in understanding and negotiating the cost of their care – delivering a sweeping victory years in the making for AMAC members and every healthcare consumer.

In signing this order, President Trump has proven once again his commitment to patients’ rights and ensuring that hospitals are not unfairly gouging Americans in need of care. In 2019, during his first term, President Trump signed an initial order on healthcare price transparency which resulted in the federal Hospital Price Transparency rule that was finalized in 2020 and took effect in 2021.

AMAC Action applauded this rule at the time, noting that it promised to “reduce the secrecy behind healthcare pricing and bring welcome competition to the private healthcare industry.” The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services further claimed that “about 200 million Americans will gain access to real-time price information, enabling them to know how much their healthcare will cost them before going in for treatment.”

In theory, this rule should have forced hospitals to maintain consumer-friendly price displays, post negotiated rates with providers, disclose what they pay for prescription drugs, and create online tools for patients to access this information, among other important provisions. As President Trump’s most recent executive order notes, “One economic analysis from 2023 estimated the impact of these regulations, if fully implemented, could result in as much as $80 billion in healthcare savings for consumers, employers, and insurers by 2025.”

However, the Biden administration failed to hold hospitals and medical providers accountable to the requirements of President Trump’s initial order. As of last November, as few as 21 percent of hospitals and healthcare systems were in full compliance with the transparency rules on the books.

As a fact sheet released by the Trump administration notes, “Prices vary widely from hospital to hospital in the same region. One patient in Wisconsin saved $1,095 by shopping for two tests between two hospitals located within 30 minutes of one another.” But because of a lack of price transparency, patients have no insight into the final cost to them and often end up spending hundreds or thousands of dollars more than they need to.

President Trump’s latest healthcare transparency order aims to change that, directing “the Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to rapidly implement and enforce the Trump healthcare price transparency regulations.” Those agencies are specifically charged with ensuring hospitals and insurers “disclose actual prices, not estimates” and taking action “to make prices comparable across hospitals and insurers, including prescription drug prices.”

This order, which calls for “radical transparency,” is a major win for patients nationwide and AMAC members who have been leading the charge on healthcare price transparency for years. More than nine in ten Americans say healthcare price transparency is an important priority, while six in ten say it should be a top priority of the government. AMAC members have made their voices heard on this issue, and now President Trump is responding with sweeping and authoritative action to enforce the common-sense reforms forwarded during his first term.

“AMAC Action commends President Trump for issuing this important healthcare price transparency Executive Order that puts American patients first,” said AMAC Action Senior Vice President Andy Mangione. “Thanks to his efforts, healthcare consumers will be empowered with the data they need to make prudent decisions regarding their medical care. This transparency will result in facilities competing for patients which will drive down the cost of everything from prescription drugs to tests to non-emergency procedures. Congress needs to codify this order quickly so a potential Democrat administration can’t reverse this cost saving, free-market solution.”

“Making America healthy again will require empowering individuals with the best information possible to inform their life and healthcare choices,” President Trump said in the order. “By building on the historic efforts of my first term, my Administration will make more meaningful price information available to patients to support a more competitive, innovative, affordable, and higher quality healthcare system.”

AMAC Action will continue to provide updates on this and other healthcare transparency efforts in the weeks and months ahead.

AMAC Backs Bill to Protect Financial Privacy

AMAC Action has announced its strong support for the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, recently reintroduced by Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). This legislation aims to safeguard Americans’ financial privacy by preventing the issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) without explicit Congressional authorization.

CBDCs are digital forms of sovereign currency issued and controlled by governments. Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, CBDCs operate on centralized digital ledgers, granting governments direct oversight of – and control over – financial transactions. CBDC would grant government bureaucrats the ability to see every purchase Americans make and violate their right to financial privacy and security.

In a letter to Rep. Emmer, AMAC Action Senior Vice President Andy Mangione stated that CBDCs “pose a significant threat to the financial independence and personal freedoms of older Americans.” He further noted that many seniors rely on cash and traditional banking methods, and a government-controlled digital currency could diminish their ability to manage their finances by forcing them to learn to navigate needlessly complex new systems.

Mangione further expressed concerns that a CBDC could enable bureaucrats to “track, monitor, and even limit seniors’ financial transactions,” setting a dangerous precedent reminiscent of authoritarian regimes around the world like Communist China.

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act seeks to address these concerns by:

• Prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to individuals, thereby preventing the central bank from acting as a retail bank with access to personal financial data.
• Restricting the Fed from indirectly issuing a CBDC through intermediaries or third parties, ensuring that unelected officials cannot impose a financial system that threatens individual sovereignty.
• Requiring that any decision to implement a CBDC receives explicit Congressional authorization, upholding the system of checks and balances integral to republican self-governance.

In a press release, Rep. Emmer underscored the importance of these measures, stating, “If not designed to be open, permissionless, and private—resembling cash—a government-issued CBDC is nothing more than an Orwellian surveillance tool that would be used to erode the American way of life.” He also highlighted the proactive stance of President Trump, who issued an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from exploring a CBDC, emphasizing the need to codify this directive into law to prevent future administrations from potentially misusing the technology.

The global landscape reflects a growing interest in CBDCs. A study by the Atlantic Council revealed that 134 countries, representing 98 percent of the world’s economy, are exploring or advancing their digital currencies. Notably, China’s digital yuan pilot has processed transactions totaling approximately $987 billion.

However, the rapid adoption of CBDCs worldwide raises concerns about privacy and the potential for increased government surveillance.

AMAC has also noted the heightened risks of financial scams and cybersecurity threats associated with a shift to a government-controlled digital currency system. Seniors, already vulnerable to such threats, could face increased risks to their hard-earned savings. AMAC firmly believes that the federal government should not have the authority to dictate how or where Americans spend their money.

As the debate over CBDCs continues, AMAC’s support for the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act highlights the critical importance of safeguarding financial privacy and ensuring that technological advancements do not come at the expense of individual freedoms.

Ranked-Choice Voting Ban Headed to a Vote in Kansas – Spotlight on Kansas

Kansas is taking a stand for election integrity! Senate Bill 6, which bans the confusing and complex ranked choice voting system, just passed out of committee and is now heading to the House for a floor vote. With strong support, it’s expected to clear both chambers of the legislature.

AMAC Action has been at the forefront of this fight, representing over 26,600 members in Kansas. Senior Vice President Andy Mangione submitted written testimony in favor of the bill, ensuring that the voices of AMAC members were heard loud and clear.

This is a huge step toward protecting fair and transparent elections, but the fight isn’t over. AMAC Action relies on the support of dedicated patriots to continue advocating for common-sense conservative policies.

Click here if you’d like to watch Andy Mangione’s update and don’t forget to like, comment, and share if you want to see more videos like this!

Wisconsin Needs Poll Workers for the April 1 Election

The upcoming April 1 election in Wisconsin will be critical to the control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  Leftists now control the court by a 4-3 margin and Wisconsin voters will decide whether to keep the 4-3 ‘progressive’ majority intact, or to restore a constitutionalist conservative majority. It is imperative that conservatives vote early, participate in the election process by becoming a poll observer or election worker, and get out as many people as possible to vote.

The 2024 general election was successful in part due to the hundreds of thousands of conservatives who worked the polls as observers and workers. This conservative scrutiny was one of the reasons the election was conducted fairly and securely.

Wisconsin needs this same scrutiny for the spring election. Please sign up to become a poll observer or election worker!

If you live in Wisconsin and would like to serve as a poll observer or election worker, please click here to volunteer!

Wisconsin needs every conservative to be energized and engaged in this election to have a chance of winning. Please work the polls and don’t forget to vote early – early voting begins on March 18!

Tell Governor Gordon to Sign HB 156 into Law to Protect WY Elections!

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon is currently considering election integrity bill HB 156, that would require proof of citizenship and residency in WY elections.

It has already passed the Wyoming House and Senate, and is on the Governor’s desk waiting to be signed into law. This bill is very popular among voters and the Governor must act now to preserve the integrity of Wyoming’s elections.

Wyoming has a short legislative session that ends in March, and we need WY voters to urge Governor Gordon to sign HB 156 into law to protect WY elections!

If you live in Wyoming, please contact Governor Gordon and tell him to SIGN HB 156 into law TODAY!

Legislation and Policy Support

H.R. 5403 – CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act

A Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) would pose a significant threat to the financial independence and personal freedoms of older Americans and could reduce all American’s ability to manage their money without excessive oversight or restriction and enable bureaucrats to track, monitor, and even limit financial transactions, a dangerous precedent that has been seen in authoritarian regimes worldwide. This bill ensures that the Federal Reserve may not unilaterally issue a CBDC or implement it through financial institutions and upholds Congress’ role in overseeing any decisions related to digital currency, preventing unelected bureaucrats from imposing a financial system that threatens individual sovereignty and privacy. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

H.R. 1339 – Safeguarding Social Security and Medicare Act

With Social Security projected to face insolvency by 2035 and Medicare by 2036, it is imperative that Congress act now to safeguard these essential programs. By requiring the US Comptroller General to develop a plan to address the impact of inflation on Social Security and Medicare, this legislation takes a common sense, proactive approach to ensuring that retirees receive the full benefits they have earned and deserve. Until the text of the bill is uploaded to Congress.gov, you can read it here. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

New Mexico S.B. 279 Opposes an “Assault Weapons” Ban in New Mexico

There is no prohibition in the 2nd Amendment for “assault weapons.” Infringement on the manufacture, sale, possession and/or transfer of such, or where they may be carried, is a blatant intrusion on the Constitutional rights of New Mexicans. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of opposition.

Meetings

March 1 Chapter Meeting: OH-08 Delegate Mark Maltbie hosted the chapter meeting and Rodney Creech (District 40), Jennifer Gross (District 45), Thomas Hall (District 46), and Diane Mullins (District 47) spoke about bills they were promoting, how the system works, some of the frustrations they encounter, and the outlook for this year. Additionally, they took questions from members and encouraged them to take part in town halls and visit the state capitol in Columbus.

March 6 All-State Meeting:  NM-01 Delegate Ramona Goolsby hosted the virtual All-State Meeting for New Mexico. Several state legislators gave a mid-session legislative update.

Action ☆ Academy 

A World Without Fossil Fuels

In PragerU’s 5-minute video A World Without Fossil Fuels, Rogan O’Handley, aka DC Draino, highlights the real-life consequences of banning fossil fuels. PragerU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes American values in short educational videos for people of all ages.

Term of the Week: Legislative Branch

“The branch of the federal and state government empowered to make the laws that are then enforced by the executive branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. The legislative branch consists of Congress and the fifty state legislatures. At both state and federal levels, legislatures are made up of popularly elected representatives, who propose laws that are sensitive to the needs and interests of their local constituents. After a law is proposed as a bill, it is sent to appropriate committees for several stages of discussion, research, and modification. It is then debated in both legislative houses — except Nebraska, which has a single-house legislature — and put to a vote. If the law is passed, it is still subject to further modification and final vote by both houses. Under the system of checks and balances, the president can refuse to sign the bill into law (through the veto power). The legislature can then vote to override the veto. Other checks and balances include legislative powers to impeach public officials (see impeachment), confirm appointments to the executive and judicial branches, and vote on appropriations.”

(Hirsch, E. D., et al. The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. 2nd ed., Houghton Mifflin, 1993, p. 332)

Class for March and April

Congress: How It Worked and Why It Doesn’t

In this 11-lecture course discover the Founders’ vision for the legislative branch and how over the past century Congress has strayed from its role and intended function. Once American citizens understand how Congress Worked and Why It Doesn’t, we can help restore it to its original grand purpose.

Quote of the Week

“I return to this chamber tonight to report that America’s momentum is back, our spirit is back, our pride is back, our confidence is back, and the American dream is surging bigger and better than ever before.  The American dream is unstoppable, and our country is on the verge of a comeback, the likes of which the world has never witnessed and perhaps will never witness again.”

– President Donald J. Trump

Fight to save the America we love! If you’d like to become a volunteer AMAC Action Delegate, please contact us at (855) 809-6976 or [email protected].