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Medical Debt Relief Act: Protecting Credit Reports from Healthcare Bills

This act introduces changes to protect citizens from the negative impact of medical debts on their credit reports. It means medical debts won't immediately appear on credit histories, and paid or settled debts will be removed, potentially improving creditworthiness.
Key points
One-year waiting period for reporting medical debt: Medical debts will not appear on your credit report for one year, giving you time to resolve the issue.
Removal of paid debts: Fully paid or settled medical debts will be removed from your credit report within 45 days of payment.
More time for verification and assistance: Before a medical debt is reported to a credit bureau, you will receive a notice, giving you a year to contact your insurance company or apply for financial assistance.
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_214
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Process start date: 2021-02-03
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Medical Debt Relief Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_214.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-02-03.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • One-year waiting period for reporting medical debt: Medical debts will not appear on your credit report for one year, giving you time to resolve the issue.
  • Removal of paid debts: Fully paid or settled medical debts will be removed from your credit report within 45 days of payment.
  • More time for verification and assistance: Before a medical debt is reported to a credit bureau, you will receive a notice, giving you a year to contact your insurance company or apply for financial assistance.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Health Courts and Law Economy