Poorest no longer to pay highest price at CO hospitals

Starting Aug. 8, Colorado hospitals will no longer be allowed to charge their highest prices to the poorest, uninsured patients. A bill banning the widespread practice was signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper Monday afternoon. Currently, hospitals effectively charge different prices for the same procedure, depending on who's paying. The new law would make hospitals give their best price, not their worst, to the low-income and uninsured. The bill had support from the Colorado Hospital Association. The bill also requires hospitals to tell patients about their financial aid and payment plans.