Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Bill to Protect Those with Medical Debt

Today State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee led passage of legislation to protect residents with medical debt from further financial strain.

Senate Bill 395 prohibits Connecticut health care providers and hospitals from reporting medical debt to credit rating agencies for use in a credit report and voids any medical debt that is reported to credit rating agencies. The bill passed on a bipartisan basis and now heads to the House.

“Medical debt is not the result of poor financial decisions or consumer spending – it is the result of a health care system that prioritizes profits over people,” said State Sen. Matt Lesser. “Medical debt is typically a one time incurrence due to necessity, and no family faced with those circumstances should face further financial pressure while seeking to rent an apartment or buy a car. Massive healthcare reform is needed, but I am proud that we have taken a step to insulate Connecticut residents from financial ruin for circumstances outside of their control. I am encouraged by the bipartisan vote today, as well as the support from the Connecticut Hospital Association and a wide array of consumer advocates”

A number of consumer advocates, the Connecticut Hospital Association and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau submitted testimony in favor of this legislation.