summary
Introduced
10/20/2025
10/20/2025
In Committee
10/21/2025
10/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
26th Council
Bill Summary
A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To amend the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996 to require the Department of Health to collect certain data, to require medical creditors to offer payment plans to eligible patients, to prohibit the reporting of medical debt to a credit reporting agency, to prohibit a large health care facility or employee from assisting a patient with or promoting medical lending products, to prohibit a large health care facility or employee from requiring a credit card authorization before providing necessary health services, to prohibit wage garnishments and property liens to collect on a medical debt, and to grant enforcement powers to the Office of the Attorney General; to amend Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the District of Columbia Official Code to limit liens for emergency health services provided by a large health care facility to the lesser of the amount the patient owes after insurance claims or 33% of the total amount awarded to the patient; and to amend Chapter 1 of Title 15 of the District of Columbia Official Code to prevent the revival of judgments against a debtor for medical debt.
AI Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive protections for patients with medical debt in the District of Columbia by requiring large health care facilities to create financial assistance policies, offer payment plans, and limit debt collection practices. Specifically, the bill mandates that health care facilities screen patients for financial assistance, with patients earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level eligible for free or discounted care, and requiring payment plans that limit monthly payments to 3% of household income with a maximum 36-month term. The legislation prohibits medical debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit reporting agencies, prevents health care facilities from promoting medical lending products, bans wage garnishments for patients earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, and restricts property liens. Additionally, the bill limits hospital liens to 33% of any legal settlement and prevents courts from reviving judgments based on medical debt. Large health care facilities must publicly report their financial assistance data annually, and the Department of Health can impose fines up to $10,000 per week for non-compliance. The bill aims to protect patients from aggressive medical debt collection practices and ensure more affordable access to healthcare services.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (8)
Charles Allen (D)*,
Anita Bonds (D)*,
Janeese George (D)*,
Christina Henderson (I)*,
Brianne Nadeau (D)*,
Zachary Parker (D)*,
Brooke Pinto (D)*,
Robert White (D)*,
Last Action
Public Hearing Held (on 12/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0438 |
| BillText | https://lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LIMS/60562/Introduction/B26-0438-Introduction.pdf |
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