The Patient Debt Relief Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 9129, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to provide relief to patients who are struggling with medical debt.
One of the key provisions of the Patient Debt Relief Act is the establishment of a program that would allow patients to negotiate and settle their medical debts with hospitals and other healthcare providers. This program would aim to reduce the financial burden on patients and help them avoid bankruptcy due to overwhelming medical bills.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to increase transparency in medical billing practices, such as requiring healthcare providers to provide patients with clear and understandable explanations of their bills. This would help patients better understand the costs of their medical care and make more informed decisions about their healthcare.
Furthermore, the Patient Debt Relief Act seeks to address issues related to surprise medical billing, where patients receive unexpected bills from out-of-network providers. The bill includes provisions to protect patients from these surprise bills and ensure that they are not held responsible for excessive charges.
Overall, the Patient Debt Relief Act aims to provide much-needed assistance to patients struggling with medical debt and improve transparency in medical billing practices. It is currently under review in Congress and may undergo further revisions before being voted on.