Power to the Patients

Dear Patient,

One block away from my clinic is a mural with a striking image and message: a defiant fist hoists a caduceus against a red backdrop, with the words “Power to the Patients—Prices are now a patient’s right—Demand Them!”

This mural and others like it in cities across the US are part of a public awareness campaign in response to a new healthcare rule passed earlier this year, mandating that hospitals must publish their prices online. Patients now have the right to know their healthcare costs before undergoing a hospital procedure. This is a breakthrough, life-changing development in healthcare access in this country.

I think about healthcare access a lot. In my own corner of healthcare, I’ve seen acupuncture change thousands of lives—most of whom probably wouldn’t have ever tried acupuncture if I didn’t charge an affordable price.

Families shouldn’t go bankrupt because of medical bills. Patients shouldn’t have to ration their medication. Preventive care shouldn’t be delayed because it’s expensive. If you have good health insurance that pays for all of that, you’re one of the lucky ones. We’ve got to do better as a society. If you’re a patient, demand to know your healthcare costs up front—it’s you’re right. If you’re a provider, get creative and figure out ways to deliver care to the people who aren’t getting it. We can’t rely on institutions alone to fix a broken system.

The true power is with the patients.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist

P.S. To learn more about the Power to the Patients movement, including how to get upfront pricing and shop for healthcare, visit https://www.powertothepatients.org.