Protect Americans from Medical Debt Credit Reporting

The recent guidance issued by the administration that threatens state efforts to keep medical debt off consumers' credit reports is a step backward in protecting Americans who are already struggling with healthcare costs and access. The timing of this guidance is particularly troubling as millions of Americans are at risk of losing federal aid for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Over a dozen states have enacted laws to protect consumers' credit from medical debt, recognizing that medical expenses are often unexpected and unavoidable. The new interpretation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asserting that only the federal government has the authority to restrict medical debts from credit reports undermines these state-level protections and may stall progress in other states considering similar measures. This reversal of Biden-era policies that empowered states to expand protections is unacceptable. It's crucial to understand that no one intends to end up with medical bills they cannot pay. Damaging people's credit scores because they got sick or injured does not help anyone – it only exacerbates the economic hardship faced by families across the nation. I urge you to take immediate action to protect Americans from the devastating impact of medical debt on their credit scores. Specifically, I ask that you work to pass legislation that prevents credit bureaus from using medical debt when calculating credit scores. This would provide a uniform, nationwide protection for all Americans, regardless of their state of residence. Furthermore, I implore you to address the broader issues at hand: access to affordable healthcare, a functioning government with an actual, congressionally-passed budget, and a prompt swearing in for all newly elected representatives. The American people need you to get back to work on these critical issues that affect our daily lives and financial well-being.