Debt & Bankruptcy

Medical Debt

Medical debt is a top reason people are contacted by debt collectors. Unlike other types of debt, medical debt is often unpredictable. People do not plan to get sick or hurt. NCLC works to reduce the burden of medical debt by advocating for laws that eliminate abusive debt collection, stop credit reporting of medical debt, and prevent medical debt at the outset.

Medicaid Cuts Will Lead to More Medical Debt for Black Families

October 15, 2026

A new issue brief looks at how recent legislation will increase medical debt and deepen existing racial disparities.

Read More about: Medicaid Cuts Will Lead to More Medical Debt for Black Families
March 28, 2025
April 27, 2023

Recent

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Medicaid Cuts Will Lead to More Medical Debt for Black Families

October 15, 2026

Black Families Likely to See Steep Rise in Medical Debt

October 14, 2026

A Call for a Data Center Health Protection Pledge: Joint Statement from National Health, Consumer & Environmental Organizations

September 30, 2026

Digital Library: The Latest on Keeping Medical Debt Out of Credit Reports

September 21, 2026

What States Can Do: Medical Credit Cards and Other Medical Lending Products

September 14, 2026

NCLC Testimony Regarding Proposed Amended Regulations 105 CMR 95 and 140 CMR 2

July 23, 2026

Digital Library: New Financial Assistance for Civilians Treated in Military Hospitals

May 13, 2026

What States Can Do to Help Consumers: Medical Debt

April 30, 2026

NCLC Comments on Draft 93A Regulations Related to Assisted Living Residences

April 28, 2026

Comments & Letters

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A Call for a Data Center Health Protection Pledge: Joint Statement from National Health, Consumer & Environmental Organizations

September 30, 2026

NCLC Comments on Draft 93A Regulations Related to Assisted Living Residences

April 28, 2026

291 Organizations Oppose S.J. Res. 36 (Rounds), H.J. Res 74 (Norman) to overturn CFPB’s Medical Debt on Credit Reports Rule

March 25, 2025

Comments on Proposed Medicaid and Medicare Program Rules Amending Definition of Custody for Purposes of Medicare Exclusion (CMS-1809-P)

September 9, 2024

NCLC Comments Supporting CFPB Proposal to Ban Medical Debt From Credit Reports

August 12, 2024

NCLC Petition for Rulemaking under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to Protect Renters

August 12, 2024

Joint Comments to CMS on Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey

June 25, 2024

Coalition Comments to DOJ, FTC, HHS on Consolidation in Health Care Markets

June 4, 2024

Comments on Healthcare Consolidation RFI to DOJ FTC HHS

May 30, 2024

Reports

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Nursing Home Debt Collection Practices Put Residents’ Family and Friends At Risk

October 30, 2024

Medical Debt Behind Bars: The Punishing Impact of Copays, Fees, and Other Carceral Medical Debt

September 6, 2024

An Ounce of Prevention: A Review of Hospital Financial Assistance Policies in the States

August 25, 2023

Health Care Plastic: The Risks of Medical Credit Cards

April 27, 2023

Don’t Add Further Insult to Injury: Medical Debt & Credit Reports

January 6, 2023

The Racial Health and Wealth Gap: Impact of Medical Debt on Black Families

March 9, 2022

Don’t Add Insult to Injury: Medical Debt & Credit Reports

November 4, 2019

Strong Medicine Needed: What the CFPB Should Do to Protect Consumers from Unfair Collection and Reporting of Medical Debt

September 20, 2014

Issue Briefs

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Black Families Likely to See Steep Rise in Medical Debt

October 14, 2026

What States Can Do: Medical Credit Cards and Other Medical Lending Products

September 14, 2026

What States Can Do to Help Consumers: Medical Debt

April 30, 2026

What States Can Do to Prevent Medical Debt from Ruining Credit Reports: Recommendations in the Face of Potential Federal Preemption Threats

November 14, 2025

What States Can Do About Medical Debt in Jails and Prisons

October 17, 2025

What States Can Do to Help Consumers: Medicaid Estate Recovery

May 5, 2025

Selected Resources About Medical Lending Products

February 25, 2025

CFPB’s Medical Debt Credit Reporting Rule Is a Lifeline to 15M People

January 31, 2025

NCLER Tip Sheet: Nursing Home Debt Collection: Issues and Defense

July 31, 2024

Testimony

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NCLC Testimony Regarding Proposed Amended Regulations 105 CMR 95 and 140 CMR 2

July 23, 2026

Written Testimony in Support of Connecticut HB 5127

February 24, 2026

Testimony to the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Health B26-0438 Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2025 Position: Support

December 10, 2025

Memorandum of Support for NY Consumer Debt Uniformity Act (S.5546/ A.57A)

May 21, 2025

Testimony Supporting Bill to End Colorado’s Practice of Charging Medical Copays to People in Prison

April 23, 2025

Testimony in Support of HB 268 (Maryland)

January 29, 2025

Testimony in Support of HB 673 (Maryland)

February 14, 2024

Testimony in Support of Delaware Medical Debt Protection Act

May 18, 2023

Chi Chi Wu’s Testimony in Support of Excluding Medical Debt Information from Consumer Reports (Colorado)

February 22, 2023

Press Releases & News

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Medicaid Cuts Will Lead to More Medical Debt for Black Families

October 15, 2026

Digital Library: The Latest on Keeping Medical Debt Out of Credit Reports

September 21, 2026

Digital Library: New Financial Assistance for Civilians Treated in Military Hospitals

May 13, 2026

New 2026 Edition of Surviving Debt Offers Expanded Resources for People Struggling in Affordability Crisis

April 14, 2026

KFF Health News: State Lawmakers Seek Restraints on Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt

February 20, 2026

USA Today: States advance medical debt protections as federal support fades

December 19, 2025

Trump Administration Tries to Block State Safeguards from Damaging Medical Debt on Credit Reports

October 30, 2025

Bloomberg Law: US Law Overrides State Bans on Medical Debt Reporting, CFPB Says

October 27, 2025

Inquest: Medical Debt Behind Bars

September 2, 2025

From the NCLC Digital Library

Collection Actions

NCLC’s treatise detailing consumer defenses to debt buyer and creditor collection lawsuits on credit card, medical, criminal justice, and other consumer debts.

Read Chapter One