Walker signs bill for healthcare costs transparency

Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Walker signed Senate Bill 105 into law, which improves transparency in healthcare costs.

“Healthcare costs are a critical issue in Alaska,” said Walker in a press release from Aug. 7. “Trying to keep costs sustainable is an important issue for individuals and families, but also for businesses and our economy. Seeking care is often hard enough – our medicals bills shouldn’t hurt, too.”

Under the new bill, healthcare providers and facilities will have to publicly post the costs of their most common procedures, according to the release. Signs must also be posted to i...