Medical Debt
Political rivals agree medical debt is urgent issue
Despite political tensions, Democrats and Republicans have passed bipartisan laws in over 20 states to protect patients from aggressive billing and collections. “Republicans in the legislature seem more open to protecting people from medical debt than from other kinds of debt,” said Marceline White, executive director of Economic Action Maryland, which helped lead efforts in that state to stop medical providers from garnishing the wages of low-income patients. That bill drew unanimous support from Democrats and Republicans. Read the rest of the article here. You can also get more information on medical debt in Maryland by downloading our 2024 Guide ...
Comments to the HSCRC on Patient Refund Law
In 2022, Economic Action Maryland Fund championed a bill to return an estimated $120 million to low-income patients that were wrongly pursued for medical debt, when they should have received free or low-cost care. The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) was tasked with creating an implementation process for hospitals to abide by as they identified eligible patients and notified them of the refund. Our letter outlines recommendations to improve the proposed implementation process. Click Here to View Letter
Comment to CFPB on Medical Debt Credit Reporting
In June of 2024, the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a proposed ruling on the elimination of medical debt from certain credit reporting. Our comment letter urges the CFPB to adopt this proposed ruling with two additions: to include debt incurred on medical credit cards, and for the ban on reporting to be expanded to include credit reports used for tenant and employment screening. Click for Full Letter
2024 Legislative Session: HB832/SB839 and HB328 Bill Signing
On Thursday, May 16th, we celebrated as two of our priority bills from the 2024 Legislative Session were signed into law by Governor Moore. HB832/SB839, sponsored by Delegate Vaughn Stewart and Senator Charles Sydnor, allows nominal damages to be awarded for violations of consumer laws. HB328, sponsored by Delegate Lesley Lopez, prohibits Maryland hospitals from using geographic service area tests and non-monetary asset tests to deny income-eligible patients free or reduced cost care.
International Rights Group Calls Out U.S. for Allowing Hospitals to Push Millions Into Debt
Human Rights Watch, the nonprofit that for decades has called attention to the victims of war, famine, and political repression around the world, is taking aim at U.S. hospitals for pushing millions of American patients into debt. “Medical debt is drowning many low-income and working families while hospitals continue to benefit from nonprofit tax status as they pursue families for medical debt,” said Marceline White, executive director of Economic Action Maryland. Read the full article here.
Medical Debt Protections Maryland
Medical Debt Protections Maryland This guide is designed to walk you through different options and rights you have to receive affordable hospital health care at different stages in the process which are specific to Maryland. Click Here to View Our 2024 Guide To Medical Debt HB268 Fact Sheet - Putting Patients Over Profits HB428/SB349 - Protecting Patients From Medical Debt Home Liens Paying for Hospital Care - Financial Assistance You may be eligible for free or reduced-cost care. By law, Maryland’s nonprofit hospitals must offer free and low-cost care ...
Medical Debt
Medical Debt Medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcies in the United States. In 2020, 15% of Maryland residents reported having medical debt. Medical debt can happen to anyone - to people with and without insurance, to low and high-income people, across racial and gender lines. However, while medical debt can happen to anyone, it disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. Our Medical Debt program provides direct assistance and education to Marylanders struggling with hospital debt through our Medical Debt Freedom Fund and a medical debt Know Your Rights guide. Click Here to View ...
What We Do
What We Do Economic Action Maryland Fund strives to empower vulnerable Marylanders and ensure there are strong safeguards in place to help them build and maintain assets throughout their financial lives. We fight for families to have MORE: more protections from debt collectors and predatory lenders, more information and advice to avert deceptive tricks and traps, more housing and financial security and a more just economy. Economic Action provides direct assistance today and passes policies to change the system in the future. Our direct service programs support Maryland households struggling with housing, economic ...