The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) advocacy team testified on two bills related to medical debt reform this past week in Pierre. Both measures were considered by the House Health and Human Services Committee.
The first, House Bill 1058A, will prohibit the reporting of medical debt to consumer reporting agencies and impose a penalty for violations. If passed into law, the measure would stop hospitals from placing medical bills on credit reports. The bill was amended in committee and passed with a 9-4 vote. Its next stop is the House of Representatives.
The second measure, House Bill 1210, would prohibit hospitals from reporting medical debt for collection in certain situations. SDAHO’s President/CEO, Tim Rave, spoke in opposition to the bill, expressing concern that the measure, as written, is too vague and that hospitals already provide financial aid and support to patients. The measure failed to make it out of committee after the motion to send it to the 41st legislative day passed with a 10-3 vote. This effectively kills the bill.
To listen to the audio clip of Rave’s testimony, click here.
