INDIANAPOLIS, IN (WOWO):   Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday filed the strongest bill to date to crack down on nonprofit hospitals that exploit their tax-exempt status while charging Hoosier families and employers some of the most outrageous prices in the country. HB 1004 strips nonprofit status from hospitals that charge more than 200% above what Medicare pays for the same services.  Devin Anderson, a board member for Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare applauded the bill, saying it’s a bold move to address the fact that Indiana has the 9th highest hospital prices in the nation.  “HB 1004 puts real teeth into the effort to hold nonprofit hospitals accountable for the 9th highest prices while having billions in cash reserves,” said Anderson. “This bill sends a clear message from the Indiana House of Representatives Leadership: Lowering prices is not optional—it’s a demand on behalf of the Hoosiers they represent who can’t afford skyrocketing prices from hospitals who masquerade as nonprofits.”  Indiana’s Big Five Hospitals Face Major Price Cuts  Authored by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) and co-authored by Representatives Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), the bill directly targets Indiana’s big five nonprofit hospital systems, which would need to make massive price cuts to maintain their nonprofit status: Ascension St. Vincent: Reduce prices by 40.5% Community Health Network: Reduce prices by 34% Deaconess Health System: Reduce prices by 23% Franciscan Health: Reduce prices by 30% IU Health: Reduce prices by 40.6% Parkview Health: Reduce prices by 40.8% “Nonprofit hospitals have enjoyed tax exemptions for years, yet many are charging more than triple what Medicare pays for the same services,” said Anderson. “HB 1004 forces these hospitals to decide—either behave as a nonprofit hospital by lowering your prices or lose the benefits of nonprofit status.”  Key Provisions of HB 1004 Nonprofit Status at Risk: Hospitals charging over 200% of Medicare rates will lose their nonprofit status. Stricter Community Benefit Standards: Limits what hospitals can claim as community benefits to justify their tax exemptions. Mandatory Transparency: Hospitals must disclose pricing data compared to Medicare rates and make unredacted Form 990 Schedule H publicly available. Annual Audits: Nonprofit hospitals will face yearly audits by the Secretary of State to verify compliance. HB 1004 demonstrates that House Leadership is serious about tackling Indiana’s exorbitant hospital costs and it brings much-needed accountability to a system that has long prioritized profits over patients.  “This bill is a wake-up call for Indiana hospitals: stop exploiting Hoosiers, or lose your nonprofit status. It’s that simple,” said Anderson.  Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare urges lawmakers to support HB 1004 and take a stand for Indiana families, businesses, and employers burdened by excessive healthcare costs.   About Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare is a coalition dedicated to advocating for transparency, accountability, and fair pricing in Indiana’s healthcare system. For more information, visit H4AHC.com.   The post New Bill seeks to crack down on Hospitals Overcharging Patients appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM.