medical debt
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 ...
Take Two Actions to 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 medical debt 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 medical debt protections in the country. But there is much more work to be done. The Problems and Solutions Hospital Debt Hospital medical debt remains an issue in Maryland. With rising costs of healthcare, high insurance deductibles, and ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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's Executive Director, Marceline White, is quoted on NPR sharing her insights on how to avoid and manage medical debt. Listen to the article here