Eight US States Propose Medical Debt Wage Garnishment Bans

Lawmakers in at least eight states, including United States===Colorado, United States===Florida, United States===Hawaii, United States===Indiana, United States===Maine, United States===Michigan, United States===Ohio, and United States===Washington (state), have introduced legislation this year to curb wage garnishment for unpaid medical bills. This push for patient protection follows a KFF (health policy organization) investigation revealing thousands of Coloradans had their wages garnished. The proposed measures aim to ban or limit wage garnishment, restrict bank garnishments, cap payment plans, and hold medical providers liable for non-compliance. While consumer advocates like Javier Mabrey, Lauren Jones, Dana Kennedy, Mike Weissman, and Carolyn Carter support these efforts to prevent financial ruin for patients, debt collection associations like ACA International and healthcare provider groups such as the Colorado Hospital Association and Mindy Chumbley argue that such legislation could drive up costs, threaten the sustainability of healthcare facilities, and hinder their ability to provide care. The debate highlights the tension between protecting patients from medical debt and ensuring the financial viability of the healthcare system.