Bill > SB1598

This bill, known as the "Freedom from Medical Debt Act," aims to alleviate the burden of medical debt for Tennessee residents by requiring the state treasurer to partner with a nonprofit organization to purchase and pay off certain medical debts. Eligibility for this program is based on income, with residents earning at or below 400% of the federal poverty level qualifying, or those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of their household income. Additionally, the bill prohibits healthcare providers from reporting a patient's medical debt to consumer reporting agencies, which are entities that compile and sell consumer credit information, starting July 1, 2026, though they can still report to debt collection agencies. The act defines key terms like "medical debt" and "consumer report" and establishes that any financial obligations under these contracts are solely the responsibility of the nonprofit entity, not the state.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1598&ga=114