LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan House Committee on Health Policy has approved a bipartisan bill package aimed at reducing the financial burden of medical debt on patients by restricting collection practices such as wage garnishment and home foreclosures.
Sponsored by Sens. Jonathan Lindsey and Sarah Anthony , the legislation also mandates that hospitals establish financial assistance programs for families facing emergencies.
Lindsey says the bills offer protection for Michiganders for what are sometimes unexpected medical expenses
Lindsey’s legislation significantly reins in debt collection practices like personal liens, wage garnishment and home foreclosures, while also capping interest rates applied to medical debt.
Following the committee’s approval, the bills now advance to the full House floor for consideration alongside House companion legislation.
Sen. Lindsey indicated that additional reforms, including pending price transparency legislation to require hospitals to disclose treatment costs, are still being pursued.
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