To make smart choices about their health care, individuals need accurate and timely information about quality and price. States have broad responsibilities for the regulation of health insurance and the provision of medical care and are also major purchasers of health care for their employees. Thus, states have important roles in fostering price transparency. Drawing on RWJF-funded work, this commentary explores how states can reduce gaps in information about health care prices and support conversations between physicians and patients. The authors propose that as states increase their efforts to make price information available, they should link price and quality information.
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