A powerhouse lineup of hip-hop legends including Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, French Montana, and Chuck D have teamed up with nonprofit organization Power to the Patients to deliver a compelling message: it’s high time for a transparent, affordable, and equitable nationwide healthcare system.
This rallying cry comes at a pivotal moment, as the House of Representatives gears up to vote on a crucial healthcare price transparency bill. These influential artists are leveraging their voices to advocate for robust price transparency laws that would mandate full disclosure of itemized prices for medical services and procedures by hospitals and insurance companies.
In a powerful PSA, the artists highlight how hip-hop has long served as a reflection of societal issues, and today, they’re tackling a healthcare system that’s been rigged against everyone. The lack of transparency not only stifles competition but also leads to overcharges, financial strain, and widespread patient anxiety. They emphasize that this issue isn’t just a policy concern, but an “American humanitarian crisis” that demands immediate attention.
WATCH NOW: We’re in the midst of an American humanitarian crisis, where hospitals & insurers hide their prices from patients.
We demand actual prices — not estimates or averages — & transparency in healthcare. 👊 pic.twitter.com/m6zfUnXnVE
— Power to the Patients (@PowertoPatnts) September 22, 2023
At the heart of this movement is Power to the Patients, a national nonprofit committed to achieving comprehensive price transparency in healthcare. The organization supports legislative initiatives and holds hospitals and insurers accountable to existing federal transparency regulations, ensuring that all Americans are informed about their right to access accurate and transparent healthcare pricing.
This united front for healthcare transparency is an extension of the ongoing efforts of Power to the Patients and Grammy-nominated artist and philanthropist Fat Joe. Earlier this year, Fat Joe took his advocacy to the highest levels, visiting the White House and meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to champion the rights of millions affected by the current healthcare system.
In a landmark move, Fat Joe and Power to the Patients collaborated with healthcare transparency initiatives, leading to the signing of the Healthcare Accountability and Consumer Protection Act in June 2023. This groundbreaking legislation established the nation’s first Office of Health Care Accountability, empowering New Yorkers to compare healthcare costs across different hospitals.
With over 100 million Americans grappling with medical debt, and only 36% of U.S. hospitals currently complying with the Federal Price Transparency Rule, this PSA serves as a vital call to action. It will air on television in Washington, D.C., and be accessible online in select markets nationwide, amplifying the urgent need for change in the American healthcare landscape.
