Summary
Many states in the U.S. are trying to pass laws to protect people from medical debt, especially after federal efforts slowed under the Trump administration. Some states have successfully implemented new rules, but others face challenges due to opposition. Medical debt affects a large number of Americans, prompting state-level action.
Key Facts
- Medical debt affects about 100 million Americans.
- Under Trump's administration, federal protections against medical debt were reduced.
- Some states, like Maine, have banned medical debt from credit reports.
- More than a dozen states have introduced their own rules to protect against medical debt.
- State laws protecting against harsh debt collection have received bipartisan support.
- Some states like Wyoming and South Dakota failed to pass laws banning medical debt from credit reports.
- States like Indiana, Montana, and Nevada faced challenges in passing protections against aggressive debt collection practices.
