Will Medical Debt Collection Legislation Finally End Up DOA?

Phil C. Solomon

U.S. Representative Heath Shuler introduced the Medical Debt Responsibility Act of 2011, H.R. 2086, with the support of three bipartisan Cosponsors. This bill intended to require credit agencies to remove paid or settled medical debt up to $2,500 per collection from credit reports within 45 days. This bill in its general form was reintroduced on 3/1/2012 as the Medical Debt Responsibility Act of 2012 and again introduced on January 28, 2013  as the S. 160: Medical Debt Responsibility Act of 2013.  The 2013 bill was referred to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee by its sponsors, Senator Jeff Merkley and co-sponsor Lacy Clay Jr.

Representative Heath Shuler, the initial sponsor of the legislation was quoted as saying that “Small amounts of medical debt cause huge credit problems for millions of responsible, hard-working Americans who have suffered an illness or accident,”. “This legislation would be a win for consumers and the economy. By keeping cleared medical debt off of credit reports, this bill will allow more Americans to have the credit score they deserve and need to buy homes and stimulate economic growth in their communities.”