Bill > SB2165

This bill, known as the "Medical Debt Protection and Patient Dignity Act," aims to shield patients from aggressive medical debt collection practices and ensure access to care. It prohibits healthcare providers and medical creditors from suing patients with household incomes at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (a measure of poverty set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) to collect medical debt, which is defined as any money owed for medical care, services, or hospitalization. Furthermore, it prevents these entities from seizing wages, freezing bank accounts, or placing liens on a patient's primary residence for any medical debt, regardless of income. The bill also bans the sale or transfer of medical debt to third parties, making any such transaction void and the debt uncollectible. For larger healthcare providers, defined as those with at least $20 million in annual gross revenues, the bill prohibits denying non-emergency medically necessary care due to a patient's inability to pay, outstanding medical debt, or incomplete payment history, and requires them to have a clear financial assistance policy. Violations are considered unfair or deceptive practices, subject to penalties, and patients are given the right to sue for damages and legal fees.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2165&year=2026