Oregonians are looking for change

“You can’t understand hospital bills. They put 15 letters in front of an item, and then a $4,000 charge behind it. It’s ridiculous.”

– Eastern Oregon Resident

Oregonians are being ripped off by hidden and unjustified medical fees. People across the state, regardless of geography, race, ethnicity, party affiliation, or health insurance coverage are ready for change. Voters believe addressing these problems with the health care system should be a top priority for the Oregon legislature during the 2025 legislative session.

Oregonians overwhelmingly support fairer and more transparent hospital billing. Nearly all voters – including 93% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans – believe hospitals should provide up-front cost estimates to consumers. Three in four voters support legislative action to ban these hidden fees charged by large health systems for medical care.

3 in 4

Oregon voters support legislative action to ban hidden fees charged by large health systems for medical care.

Solution: Senate Bill 539

Senate bill 539, sponsored by Senate Health Care Chair Deb Patterson, up for consideration in the Oregon state legislature would do just that. This bill would:

  • Lower your costs by not allowing hospitals to charge you hidden facility fees for routine medical services.
  • Make your medical bill more transparent by requiring hospitals to tell you up front if you will be charged one of these fees.
  • Collect data to help us monitor which hospitals and health clinics are charging these fees.

By passing SB 539, Oregon would join the 18 other states that have successfully passed legislation to protect patients from hidden medical fees.

SB 539 Benefits Oregonians

Oregonians deserve fair, transparent health care, but hospitals are standing in the way. SB 539 would eliminate hidden medical fees and put hardworking Oregonians above hospital system profits. Additionally, this bill will allow you to:

Save Money on Health Care 

Eliminate unexpected and expensive hidden fees.

Take Control of Your  Care

Require more transparency around your hospital bill.

Get Healthier

See your provider when you need to without worrying about how you are going to pay for it.

Resources

  • Fact Sheet:
    Protecting People from Hidden, Out-of-Pocket Medical Fees

    Get the facts on how SB 539 will protect Oregonians from being ripped off by hidden medical fees.

    Full Details

  • Frequently Asked Questions:
    Hidden Medical Fees in Oregon

    Find the answers about hidden medical fees, how they could impact you, and other frequently asked questions.

    Full Details

  • The True Price of Health Care:
    How are Hidden Medical Fees Impacting Oregonians?

    Recent survey results provide insight into the struggle with high health care costs that Oregonians are facing and highlight our support for government action to require fairer and more transparent hospital billing.

    Full Details

“It would be great if we could push for more transparency. There are standard costs for procedures, but hospitals charge whatever they want. It would be better if hospitals were required to charge what things actually cost, instead of just assigning arbitrary prices.”

– Portland Resident

Take Action:

Tell your lawmaker to support SB 539 to protect patients from hidden medical fees!

We’re fighting to ban hidden medical fees, but we need your help. Tell your legislator to support SB 539 to protect people from these hidden fees!

ACT NOW

Supporters

Oregonians Against Hidden Medical Fees is a campaign working to lower health care costs for people in Oregon by limiting hidden fees tacked on to routine medical procedures.

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