Bipartisan legislation to make Medicare claims data open to the general public, dubbed the Medicare Data Access for Transparency and Accountability Act, was introduced to the U.S. Senate this week.
The bill's sponsors, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who are both members of the Senate Finance Committee, are betting improved transparency will discourage fraud and waste from Medicare claims and promote better price competition. "Sunlight is among the strongest disinfectants," Sen. Wyden said.
If passed, the law would require HHS to establish a searchable Medicare payment database with free access to the public.
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