The New York City Council’s Committee on Hospitals and Committee on Health held a joint hearing on Thursday focusing on affordable health care and increasing price transparency for residents.

The proposed bill would establish an office of health care accountability, which would keep tabs on the city's spending on employee-related health care costs and recommend cheaper options. The initiative would also create a website making it easy to navigate the cost of procedures at different hospitals.

"A routine colonoscopy can cost anywhere from $2,000 at one NYC hospital to $10,000 at New York Presbyterian,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “Families across New York City are already cost-burdened, and many have medical debt. How can we consider this a fair system when consumers are deliberately left unaware of the cost of service."

Officials say making affordable health care accessible is essential as living expenses rise.

In 2017, the city spent $6.3 billion on health insurance for employees, dependents and retirees. That number is now up to $11 billion.