The Delaware General Assembly recently passed Senate Bill 156 with strong bipartisan support, advancing the effort to reform medical debt collection practices in the First State. The bill will now go to Governor Meyer’s desk, providing him with the opportunity to limit the burden of medical debt on Delaware families.
Senate Bill 156 prohibits the reporting of medical debt to consumer reporting agencies. Fourteen states, including New Jersey, have passed similar legislation.
Since its introduction in the General Assembly, public health organizations, medical experts and patient advocates have rallied around Senate Bill 156, citing the pervasive and compounding harms of medical debt to individuals’ physical health and financial mobility.
A recent survey of cancer patients and survivors, which was conducted by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), found that nearly half of cancer patients and survivors report having medical debt related to their illness. Among them, 30% have faced credit problems and 8% have lost their homes or been forced into unsafe living conditions. Furthermore, 46% of cancer patients and survivors with cancer-related medical debt felt harassed by creditors and debt collectors, who may threaten credit scores as an intimidation tactic.
“Senate Bill 156 will bring long-overdue relief to patients whose suffering is twofold—first from illness, then from the lasting financial harm that follows due to medical debt. By prohibiting the reporting of medical debt, we can begin to chip away at the often-unending negative consequences associated with disease, enabling patients to breathe easier and prioritize their health without fear of long-term financial damage,” said Lance Kilpatrick, government relations director for ACS CAN in Delaware. “At a time when Delawareans are greatly worried about the cost-of-living, one meaningful action that Governor Meyer can take to make life more affordable is signing this bill into law.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.