Hip-hop legends Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, French Montana and Chuck D have joined forces with nonprofit organization Power to the Patients to release a compelling public service announcement. Their message is unequivocal: elected officials must commit to creating a transparent, honest, affordable and equitable nationwide healthcare system.
This call to action coincides with a crucial moment, as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on a pivotal healthcare price transparency bill. The artists are uniting their voices to champion robust and meaningful price transparency laws. These laws would mandate that hospitals and insurance companies reveal real, itemized prices for their medical services and procedures.
"For 50 years now, hip-hop has been a reflection of culture and society, including stories of struggle, pain, social injustice, racial inequality, and community marginalization," declare the artists in the PSA. “Today, we confront a healthcare system that has been rigged against all of us. Hospitals force patients to sign contracts for services without ever showing us actual prices."
They assert that this lack of transparency not only stifles competition but also leads to overcharges, financial hardship and widespread patient anxiety. If individuals cannot afford their medical costs, these contracts often enable the confiscation of their possessions, perpetuating a cycle of fear and preventing millions of Americans from seeking necessary medical care. The artists emphasize that this issue constitutes an “American humanitarian crisis” that demands immediate attention.
Power to the Patients, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving comprehensive price transparency in healthcare, plays a central role in these advocacy efforts. The organization supports legislative initiatives at the federal, state, and city levels, firmly holding hospitals and insurers accountable for adhering to existing federal transparency regulations. Power to the Patients aims to ensure that all Americans are informed about their fundamental right to access accurate and transparent healthcare pricing.
This united call for healthcare transparency builds upon the extensive efforts of Power to the Patients and Grammy-nominated artist and philanthropist Fat Joe. Earlier this year, Fat Joe elevated his advocacy to the highest levels, visiting the White House and meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. His mission: to champion the rights of millions of patients, families, communities, employees, employers, and unions across the nation who have been adversely affected by the current healthcare system.
In June, Fat Joe and Power to the Patients collaborated with healthcare transparency initiatives led by the New York City Council and various union groups. Their collective efforts culminated in the signing of the Healthcare Accountability and Consumer Protection Act by Mayor Eric Adams in June 2023. This groundbreaking legislation established the nation's first Office of Health Care Accountability, enabling New Yorkers to compare healthcare costs charged by different hospitals for identical services.
The stark reality is that over 100 million Americans grapple with medical debt, a leading cause of personal bankruptcy. According to the most recent semi-annual report by the Patient Rights Advocate, only 36% of U.S. hospitals currently comply with the Federal Price Transparency Rule.
This PSA will broadcast on television in Washington, D.C., and be accessible online in select markets across the nation.
