Take Action on the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act
From the New York Association on Independent Living, the End Medical Debt Campaign and CSS …
Medical debt is harming patients' physical and financial health. In New York, having unpaid medical debt can lower a patient's credit score, which can lead to trouble obtaining a loan, getting a job, and more.
The NY Senate just passed the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act, an important step toward protecting patients from the long-term consequences of medical debt. This bill would prohibit medical debt from being collected by a consumer reporting agency or included in a consumer report.
One patient who shared his story with us, David S., had his credit score slashed in half due to medical debt. This means he can no longer buy trucks for his towing business, his main source of income.
David's story is only one of many. We can't allow this to keep happening — New Yorkers deserve better.
Please take action with us today to protect patients!
In solidarity,
Elisabeth Benjamin
CSS VP of Health Initiatives
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If you are interested in disability advocacy issues like this one, contact Colleen Downs, Systems Advocate at:
518-563-9058 Ext. 110
The Mission of the North Country Center for Independence is to help people with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives, and promote better policies and community understanding of disability issues. NCCI serves people with disabilities, families, and the community on issues related to physical and mental disabilities. NCCI is led and staffed mostly by people with disabilities. It is one of the 41 Independent Living Centers in New York State. There are also hundreds of similar centers throughout the United States. NCCI serves Clinton and Essex Counties, New York.