United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 13 D cosponsors

HR 8311 — Medical Debt Cancellation Act

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

To cancel existing medical debt, and for other purposes.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces new regulations regarding the collection and reporting of medical debt, thereby amending existing laws related to debt collection and consumer credit reporting.

  • 15 U.S.C. 1692

    ``Sec. 818A. Collection of medical debt (a) In General.--No debt collector or creditor may collect or attempt to collect debt that arose from the receipt of medical services, products, or devices if such debt was incurred by a consumer before the date of enactment of this section. (b) Private Right of Action.--Any consumer who is harmed by a violation of subsection (a) may bring a civil action in the appropriate United States district court against the debt collector or creditor that violated subsection (a) for-- (1) compensatory damages, including for economic losses and for emotional harm; (2) punitive damages; and (3) reasonable attorney's fees and costs of the action to a prevailing plaintiff.''

    This new section prohibits the collection of medical debt incurred before the bill's enactment and allows consumers to sue for damages if this rule is violated.

  • 15 U.S.C. 1681c(a)

    ``(9) Any information related to debt that arose from the receipt of medical services, products, or devices if such debt was incurred by a consumer before the date of enactment of this section.''

    This addition prohibits the reporting of medical debt incurred before the bill's enactment from appearing on consumer credit reports.

  • 15 U.S.C. 1692p

    The table of sections for the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 818 the following: ``818A. Collection of medical debt.''

    This adds a new section to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act specifically addressing the collection of medical debt.

Action History

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 534 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (12)

Not signed on (534)

534 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

finance healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 8311 do?
To cancel existing medical debt, and for other purposes.
Who sponsors HR 8311?
HR 8311 is sponsored by Khanna, Ro (Democratic), Tlaib, Rashida (Democratic), Bowman, Jamaal (Democratic), Casar, Greg (Democratic), Jayapal, Pramila (Democratic), Lee, Summer L. (Democratic), McGovern, James P. (Democratic), Omar, Ilhan (Democratic), Pressley, Ayanna (Democratic), Ramirez, Delia C. (Democratic), Schakowsky, Janice D. (Democratic), Takano, Mark (Democratic), and Velázquez, Nydia M. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 8311?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 8311?
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