Fight against medical debt is pivoting to the states after Trump wins election

As President-elect Donald Trump signals a rollback of federal health care initiatives, states are becoming the new battleground for medical debt relief. Advocates are focusing on legislation to keep medical debt off credit reports, regulate predatory medical credit cards, and expand hospital financial aid programs.

This shift comes as fears grow that Trump’s administration may cut back on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and Medicaid funding, potentially leaving millions without affordable coverage. Such changes could exacerbate the medical debt crisis, which affects over 100 million Americans. Consumer protections championed by the Biden administration, including proposed regulations to remove medical debt from credit scores, now face uncertainty under Trump’s leadership.

States like New York and California have already enacted laws to curb hospital debt collections and boost aid for patients, providing a model for others. While advocates praise bipartisan support for many state measures, they warn federal funding cuts could derail progress. As the nation braces for policy shifts, states are poised to play a pivotal role in shielding Americans from the crushing weight of medical debt.

Source: NPR