Tennessee-based conservative and activist Riley Gaines is facing backlash from critics after she shared a video calling for legislators to pass policies to ensure transparency in hospital prices. The former collegiate swimmer, who welcomed her first child in September of last year, said she received hospital bills months after giving birth, some totaling thousands of dollars, without adequate information on what the charges were for.
“This one is a bill for $2,000. The service description literally just says vaginal birth,” Gaines said while reading off the statements. “Here’s another bill for $1,261. What’s the description for? Actually, it doesn’t even say.” She also listed additional charges of $336 for “subsequent hospital care” and $675 for a “hospital discharge day.” She questioned what those services actually included.
Gaines added that her husband had attempted to contact the provider but was told it could take up to 90 days to receive clarification. “You have to assume that they just hope people pay these without asking any questions,” she said. “We need legislators to act to rein in these unchecked practices and to protect patients and taxpayers from a system designed to exploit them. The markups and the confusion are out of control.”
Critics Say She Got What She Deserved for Voting Trump
Under her post, many netizens were critical of Gaines, specifically because of her political views. “I’m so happy for you! 🥰 You got what you voted for!” one person said sarcastically. Another wrote, “Am I supposed to feel bad for you? This increase in pricing was noted in the BBB,” referring to Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
A third commented, “Are we experiencing side effects from our own poor choices?,” while a fourth questioned, “Who set that system up and who is in charge right now of that current system? Which administration is in control? How about you tell us in your next video. Can’t wait to find out.”
Even NowThis Impact producer Leah Sherman joined in, saying that Gaines contributed to her own “demise.” She said in a video shared on TikTok, “You actively support an administration that passed things like the One Big Beautiful Bill, which made health care prices go up for millions of Americans, directly and indirectly. It just so happens to be affecting you now because this is part of a whole domino effect.” Sherman’s video has over 300,000 likes.
Meanwhile, some viewers argued that Gaines’ concerns have been completely misunderstood. “Y’all do not seem to understand what she is saying. Trump is wanting [sic] to require hospitals to show exactly what they are charging you for pretty much like an itemized receipt, but only a third of hospitals are compliant,” one comment read. Another added, “She isnt talking about the cost, she is talking about the lack of billing details and what she is being charged for.” Someone else wondered, “How do people not understand?”
Gaines’ video has since gained over 500,000 views on TikTok, but as of now, public opinion has remained divided.
