Fats Joe arrives on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Feb. 13. The Bronx-born rapper sat with NPR’s A Martínez to debate how he advocates for worth transparency and what he needs politicians in D.C. to do about it.
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Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Rapper Fats Joe says, “Tens of millions of individuals are getting robbed.”
In a public service announcement by Energy to the Sufferers, he provides that it is “not by the blokes you may assume. However by hospital and insurance coverage firm executives. They crooks.”
That is why the Bronx-born rapper is urging officers in Washington, D.C., for worth transparency in well being care.
In 2021, an government order issued by then-President Trump went into impact, requiring hospitals to make the costs of well being providers public. President Biden later signed an government order instructing the Division of Well being and Human Providers to implement it.
However a 2023 report by the nonprofit Affected person Rights Advocate discovered that almost all hospitals are usually not complying with these guidelines.
Fats Joe advised Morning Version‘s A Martínez that he has a message to politicians: “Occasions up. … It is time that you simply do precisely what you been voted to do: is move a regulation that can truly assist the American households, give them glorious high quality in well being care in addition to the perfect worth.”
This interview has been edited for size and readability. You possibly can hear this dialog utilizing the audio participant on the high of the web page.
A Martínez: So inform us, why ought to hospitals be required to place costs for providers someplace public the place individuals can see them?
Fats Joe: Nicely, there is a rule now. Donald Trump put [it] into place as a matter of reality. However it’s not being enforced. The rationale why pricing is so vital is as a result of anything we do on this planet comes with a worth. And we all know precisely what it’s. What’s the thriller of the hospitals that they can not inform you the worth of a process? You possibly can have a look at the three main hospitals in your space — the discrepancy is unimaginable. Any person goes to have an MRI for $1,200. Somebody’s going to have it for $8,800. Somebody’s going to have it for $40,000. So that you get to decide on what hospital you wish to go to to have the process achieved.
Martínez: So the laws that you simply wish to see handed would make well being care suppliers present that worth for the completely different procedures. It would not essentially do something to provide energy to sufferers to assist decrease costs. Does it go far sufficient?
Fats Joe: It can, as a result of now that they current the worth, it is going to create a contest.
Martínez: You attended President Biden’s State of the Union handle in March. What do you wish to see from him in terms of worth transparency in well being care?
Fats Joe: I wish to see all of them move the regulation that Sen. Mike Braun, who’s a Republican, and Bernie Sanders, who’s an unbiased Democrat, are placing forth. And in terms of the president, I would like him to be proactive about it. He does so much for the individuals, however I believe he must be extra engaged with this.
Martínez: How a lot of a distinction do you assume it will make if former President Trump wins in November?
Fats Joe: You understand, we reside in a democracy, so each 4 years, something might change. So if Donald Trump turns into president, then we gotta take care of him to get it achieved. This ain’t about Republican, this is not about Democrat — that is concerning the individuals. And so once I went to the president’s handle, I snuck into the Republican dinner that they had with the speaker of the Home, Mike Johnson. I walked up in there, and he rotated and stated, “Oh my God, Fats Joe, you are giving me road cred.” And I used to be like, “What’s up, man?” And we took some footage. Talked to all of the Republicans in there. After which I went to the Democrat aspect and met with Hakeem Jeffries and all people else. And so while you’re attempting to get a regulation handed, while you’re attempting to get progress for the individuals, you gotta be capable to take care of the Democrats and the Republicans.
Martínez: You’ve got been doing this for a number of years now. Do you are feeling such as you’re making progress?
Fats Joe: Completely. I stroll within the airport — which now, you understand, it is just about the one place I see human beings now, simply common human beings. As a result of, you understand, I am a bit bit well-known as of late. And other people come as much as me and hug me at 4 within the morning, 6 within the morning. They are saying, “Thanks for what you are doing for the well being care. Thanks, Joe. That is a very powerful factor you have ever achieved. Positive. Your music. We love your appearing. That is a very powerful factor you are doing for the individuals.” I imply, if that ain’t gratifying, I do not know what’s.
The digital model of this story was edited by Treye Inexperienced and Obed Manuel.
