Bill > SB605

This bill amends Oregon law to significantly restrict medical debt reporting and collection practices. The legislation expands the definition of "medical debt" to include any monetary obligation related to medical services, including amounts not yet past due or already paid, and covers debts owed to medical service providers or on specific medical credit cards. Hospitals and medical clinics are now prohibited from reporting any medical debt to consumer reporting agencies, and consumer reporting agencies are barred from including medical debt in consumer reports. If a violation occurs, the bill allows courts to potentially declare the medical debt void and uncollectible. The bill also maintains existing provisions that require hospitals to screen patients for financial assistance before attempting to collect debts, limit interest rates on medical debts, and prevent debt collectors from pursuing medical debts from family members who are not financially responsible. These changes aim to protect patients from potentially harmful medical debt reporting practices that could negatively impact their credit and financial well-being, reflecting a growing policy trend of addressing medical debt as a significant consumer protection issue.