You're Invited | State Policy Efforts to Avert and Alleviate Medical Debt

Join the CAP for a virtual discussion with state officials on policy options to protect consumers from the financial burdens of medical debt. Problems viewing this email? [View it in your browser]( [Center for American Progress]( You're Invited State Policy Efforts to Avert and Alleviate Medical Debt Join the CAP for a virtual discussion with state officials and legal experts on policy options to protect consumers from the financial burdens of medical debt. July 18, 2024 Center for American Progress | Online 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST [REGISTER TO ATTEND]( Moderator [Natasha Murphy]( Director of Health Policy, Center for American Progress PANELISTS [Liz Boldon]( State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader (D-MN) [Lisa Reynolds]( State Representative (D-OR) [Berneta Haynes]( Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center If you have questions for our panel, please submit them on Twitter using the hashtag [#CAPEvents]( or [via email](mailto:CAPeventquestions@americanprogress.org). Join CAP for an online event to learn more about state policy to avert and alleviate medical debt, including reforming debt collection practices and standardizing hospital financial assistance programs. The high cost of health care is a primary driver of medical debt in the United States. In 2023, [41 percent]( of American adults reported debt due to medical or dental bills and 30 percent reported they would be unable to pay an unexpected $500 medical bill without going into debt. In response, states are pursuing and implementing policy to proactively protect consumers from the financial burden of medical debt and ensure access to affordable health care. - Minnesota State Senator Liz Boldon will discuss the recently enacted Debt Fairness Act ([SF 4097]( that reforms medical debt and judgment collection and establishes new medical debt collection rights. - Oregon State Representative Lisa Reynolds will discuss [HB 3320]( enacted in 2023, which requires nonprofit hospitals to screen patients for financial assistance. - Berneta Haynes, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, will provide an overview of the Center’s model Medical Debt Protection Act and its influence on state legislative efforts. July 18, 2024 Center for American Progress | Online 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST [Closed-captioned-enabled video will be posted following the conclusion of the event.]( [Support CAP]( [Manage Email Preferences]( [Privacy Policy]( [Terms & Conditions]( [Center for American Progress]( Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 [supporter]