Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich argues that America’s affordability crisis starts in the health sector—he notes that the U.S. now spends nearly one-fifth of its economy on healthcare, and asserts that a single best step to restore affordability is enforcing clear, upfront pricing to spark market competition and put power back in consumers’ hands.
Gingrich writes that many government programs push hidden subsidies and tax credits which only inflate costs over time because they obscure true prices and discourage cost-conscious behavior among users. He frames transparency initiatives, such as requiring providers to publish negotiated rates and allowing patients to select care based on price and quality, as essential reforms.
He also claims that once everyday Americans see the real cost of care and can compare providers directly, the pressure to reduce prices will follow naturally—rather than relying solely on government mandates or higher spending. Gingrich suggests that genuine competition, driven by visibility into pricing, will lower out-of-pocket burdens, freeing up families’ budgets for housing, saving, and opportunity.
In his view, addressing healthcare cost inflation in this way brings the greatest promise for making housing, education and everyday life more affordable—not just for some, but for most Americans.