ASA is proud to announce that 45 members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 451, "The Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2011."  The current number of cosponsors is five times greater than the number of cosponsors on any previous version of this legislation. The record number of cosponsors is a result of the great lobbying ASA members performed during the Legislative Conference and the solid work of other organizations in the Truth and Transparency Coalition.  

Currently, patients lack information about the wide variety of individuals who work in health care settings, and they are confused by the increasing ambiguity of health care provider-related advertising, marketing and degree titles. In fact, a recent survey found that 44 percent of patients find it difficult to identify who is a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) and who is not by reading what services they offer, their title and other licensing materials. This legislation would provide patients more information in this confusing health care marketplace.

With the growing national debt and an increased focus by members of both political parties to reduce health care related spending, precious health care dollars are being wasted on poor and uninformed health care choices by consumers. H.R. 451 would significantly advance patient empowerment and prudent expenditure of health care dollars by enhancing information flow to patients and addressing the lack of clarity in health care provider advertisements, marketing and self-identification.

Click here  to learn more about the legislation.