medical debt
Do You Need Medical Debt Assistance?
Far too few patients are aware they may qualify for financial assistance that would reduce or wipe-out their medical debt. Economic Action Maryland Fund is thrilled to partner with Dollar For to help patients in Maryland apply for hospital financial assistance.Dollar For has been working nationwide to crush medical debt by helping patients apply for financial assistance and advocating with hospitals to eliminate or reduce patients’ medical debt.If you or someone you know has medical debt from a hospital stay, click on this link which will take you to our page. On the page you can:See if you may qualify ...
Maryland Medical Debt: Insurance, Maryland’s Wins and National Trends
For Marylanders who receive their health insurance through the state exchange, the increase in costs is sickening. Insurers who offer policies on the state exchange are seeking 17% increases in premiums for individuals to cope with expected cuts in federal funding. These rising costs may make health insurance unaffordable for many working families with some officials estimating that 70,000 may forgo health insurance, increasing their risk of developing high medical debt. Insurance is one of many significant drivers of runaway healthcare costs and medical debt. On Monday, the Lown Institute released Past Due: How Medical Debt is Harming Americans and ...
Post-Crossover Update: Heading To the Finish Line
Last Monday, March 17 wasn’t just St. Patrick’s Day. It was also ‘crossover day,’ the day by which a bill had to pass out of one chamber of the General Assembly in order to have a good chance of final passage by Sine Die, the last day of the 2025 legislative session on Monday, April 7. It wasn’t the luck of the Irish, it was the hard work of our policy team, our bill sponsors, our partners and supporters that led to 14 bills we’ve led and supported making it across this critical legislative hurdle. A few highlights include: HB268/SB981: ...
End Medical Debt Liens on Homes, and Expand Low-Cost Care!
In the past five years, Economic Action has worked with legislators, coalition partners, and YOU to pass some of the strongest medical debt protections in the country. But there is much more work to be done. As we reach the halfway point of Maryland's legislative session, legislators are faced with competing priorities. With over 2,500 bills this year, it is more important than ever to use your voice and let your elected officials know that protecting patients from medical debt should be a priority. Please urge your legislators to pass HB268/SB981 and HB428/SB349! HB268/SB981 puts patients first by: Creating a ...
Put Maryland Patients First and Reduce Medical Debt
Background Medical debt remains an issue in Maryland and one that disproportionately affects Black patients. According to a 2023 poll that Economic Action commissioned, 14% of Marylanders have debt related to medical services they can’t pay with the percentage rising to 23% for Black households. In the past five years, Economic Action has worked with legislators and coalition partners to pass some of the strongest protections in the country. But there is much more work to be done. The Problem and Solutions Hospital Debt Hospital debt remains an issue in Maryland. With rising costs of healthcare, high insurance deductibles, and ...
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.
Updates from Annapolis – 2024 Session Report
For Economic Action Maryland, like many other advocates, this proved to be a challenging session. The budget shortfall and budget negotiations took up a great deal of time and concerns about the budget meant that most legislation that came with a high price tag was destined to fail this year. There were new legislators, legislators who were new to certain committees, and new chairs of committees which meant that our issues were new to many legislators. Despite these challenges, we are very proud of the legislation that we passed both as a lead advocate and in coalition with a number ...
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 ...
Debt Reform
Debt Reform Consumer debt in the United States is approaching a record-breaking $16 trillion, and is in need of reform. Mortgages, student loans, auto loans, and credit cards were the main areas where Americans fell into debt. Medical debt, which is growing faster than income, is another leading cause of debt. To advance a just economy for all, Economic Action Maryland Fund advocates to end predatory and deceptive loan products, and leads statewide efforts to reform local and state debt collection policies that criminalize poverty and deepen the racial wealth gap. GET HELP ...
How To Get Rid Of Medical Debt — Or Avoid It In The First Place
Medical billing and health insurance systems in the U.S. are complex, and many patients have difficulty navigating them. Economic Action Maryland Fund's Executive Director, Marceline White, is quoted on NPR sharing her insights on how to avoid and manage medical debt. Listen to the broadcast here.