The high cost of health care remains a significant driver of medical debt in the United States. In 2023, 41 percent of American adults reported having debt due to medical or dental bills, with 30 percent stating they would be unable to pay an unexpected $500 medical bill without incurring debt. In response, states are actively pursuing and implementing policies aimed at protecting consumers from the financial burden of medical debt and ensuring access to affordable health care.
The Center for American Progress will host an online event to discuss state policy efforts designed to avert and alleviate medical debt. The discussion will cover reforms in debt collection practices and the standardization of hospital financial assistance programs.
Minnesota State Senator Liz Boldon (D) will present on the recently enacted Debt Fairness Act (S.F. 4097), which reforms medical debt and judgment collection while establishing new rights related to medical debt collection.
Oregon State Representative Lisa Reynolds (D) will speak about H.B. 3320, enacted in 2023, which mandates that nonprofit hospitals screen patients for financial assistance.
National Consumer Law Center Senior Attorney Berneta Haynes will provide an overview of the center’s model Medical Debt Protection Act and its influence on state legislative efforts.
Panelists include:
- Liz Boldon, State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader (D-MN)
- Lisa Reynolds, State Representative (D-OR)
- Berneta Haynes, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center
Natasha Murphy, Director of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress, will moderate the event.
The event is scheduled for July 18, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET and will be held virtually. Interested parties are encouraged to RSVP to join the online audience. For more information, contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].
