Never a bargain

摘要

President donald trump has been promising to bring down health-care costs ever since he announced his campaign for the White House. So far his policies have had the opposite effect. As contenders to stand against him in 2020 have begun to refine their pitches on health, he has at last done something to keep his promise. On June 24th Mr Trump signed an executive order requiring hospitals to disclose the (hitherto secret) prices they have negotiated with insurance companies. The idea is that transparent pricing will spur competition and force high-price hospitals to cut margins, or become more efficient.