District of Columbia Council Period 26 Status: Enacted

B 26-0438 — Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2025

Last action — Act A26-0365 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 009402

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Council
  4. ✓
    To Executive
  5. 5
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced October 20, 2025. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 50% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill addresses issues related to medical debt.

This legislation focuses on the management and mitigation of medical debt. It outlines provisions aimed at reducing the burden of medical costs on individuals and families.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families may find relief from the pressures of medical debt.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

448 added · 464 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill B 26-0438 introduce several important changes to how medical debt is handled in the District of Columbia. Key additions include the requirement for health care facilities to offer financial assistance and payment plans to eligible patients, as well as restrictions on reporting medical debt to credit agencies and preventing wage garnishments or property liens for medical debt collection. These changes aim to protect patients from overwhelming financial burdens related to medical care, ensuring that access to health services doesn’t lead to lifelong debt issues. Overall, the goal is to create a fairer and more supportive environment for individuals facing medical expenses.

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ENGROSSED ORIGINAL A BILL 3 26-438 5 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 8 __________________ To amend the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996 to require the Department of Health to collect certain data, and to require certain health care facilities to offer financial assistance and payment plans to eligible patients;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL AN ACT __________________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA __________________ To amend the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996 to require the Department of Health to collect certain data and to require certain health care facilities to offer financial assistance and payment plans to eligible patients;
to amend section 28- 3814 of the District of Columbia Official Code to prohibit the reporting of medical debt to a credit reporting agency, and to prohibit wage garnishments and property liens to collect on a medical debt;
to amend Chapter 38 of Title 28 of the District of Columbia Official Code to prohibit the reporting of medical debt to a credit reporting agency, wage garnishments and property liens to collect on a medical debt, and health care providers from assisting patients with completing applications for, or promoting, medical lending products under certain conditions or requiring credit card authorization before the date that health services are provided or costs are incurred;
to add a new section 28-3820 of the District of Columbia Official Code to prohibit health care providers from assisting patients with completing applications for, or promoting, medical lending products to patients under certain conditions, and to prohibit health care providers from requiring credit card authorization before the date that health services are provided or costs are incurred;
to amend Chapter 39 of Title 28 of the District of Columbia to make a violation of the restrictions on medical lending products an unfair or deceptive trade practice;
to make a violation of the restrictions on medical lending products an unfair or deceptive trade practice;
and for other purposes.
to amend Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the District of Columbia Official Code to limit liens for emergency health services provided by a health care facility to the lesser of either the amount the patient owes after insurance claims or 33% of the total amount awarded to the patient;
and to amend Chapter 1 of Title 15 of the District of Columbia Official Code to prevent the revival of judgments against a debtor for medical debt.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL (1) Section 2 (D.C.
(1) Section 2 (D.C.
“(10A) “Health care facility-FAP” means a health care facility, excluding intermediate care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, or home health agencies, that is required to have a financial assistance policy under title II.”.
“(10A) “Health care facility-FAP” means a health care facility, but excluding an intermediate care facility, skilled nursing facility, or home health agency, that is required to have a financial assistance policy under title II.”.
“(a-2) Beginning one year after the applicability date of this subsection, and annually thereafter, each health care facility-FAP shall provide a written report to the Department of Health on its financial assistance policy, including:
“(a-2) Beginning one year after the applicability date of this subsection, and annually thereafter, each health care facility-FAP shall provide a written report to the Department on its financial assistance policy, including:
“(1) The number of patients who received financial assistance in the past 12 months, disaggregated by patients who received free and discounted care, residency, race, ethnicity, age, and primary-language-spoken, if such information is available;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(1) The number of patients who received financial assistance in the past 12 months, disaggregated by patients who received free and discounted care, residency, race, ethnicity, age, and primary language spoken, if such information is available;
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(A) The number of instances the health care facility-FAP has sold medical debt to a collection entity, as that term is defined in section 23(1), including the business names of the collection entities;
“(A) The number of instances the health care facility-FAP has sold medical debt to a collection entity, as that term is defined in section 201(1), including the business name of the collection entity;
and “(C) The number of instances the health care facility-FAP or collection entity acting on behalf of the heath care facility-FAP has commenced litigation against a patient to collect on medical debt, including the court of law under which the litigation was commenced;
and “(C) The number of instances the health care facility-FAP or collection entity acting on behalf of the heath care facility-FAP has commenced litigation against a patient to collect on medical debt, including the court in which the litigation was commenced;
and “(6) Any other information required by the Department of Health through rulemaking.”.
and “(6) Any other information required by the Department through rulemaking.”.
(c) A new Title II is added to read as follows:
(c) A new title II is added to read as follows:
23.
201.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(1) “Collection entity” means a person that purchases medical debt or collects medical debt on behalf of another.
“(1) “Collection entity” means a person that purchases medical debt or collects medical debt on behalf of another.
“(4) “Financial assistance policy” means the policy required by section 24.
“(4) “Financial assistance policy” means the policy required by section 202.
The term “medical debt” does not include charges to a credit card for the provision of medical services, products, or devices, unless the credit card is a medical lending product.
The ENROLLED ORIGINAL term “medical debt” does not include charges to a credit card for the provision of medical services, products, or devices, unless the credit card is a medical lending product.
“(7) “Medically necessary health service” means a health service, including pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and plastic surgery designed to correct disfigurement caused by injury, illness, or congenital defect or deformity, provided by a health care provider to a ENGROSSED ORIGINAL patient that is necessary to prevent, diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition or disease, or the symptoms of an illness, injury, condition or disease, and meets accepted standards of medicine.
“(7) “Medically necessary health service” means a health service, including pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and plastic surgery designed to correct disfigurement caused by injury, illness, or congenital defect or deformity, provided by a health care provider to a patient that is necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat an illness, injury, condition or disease, or the symptoms of an illness, injury, condition or disease, and meets accepted standards of medicine.
“(8) “Patient” means an individual who received medical services, products, or devices, including an individual’s parent or legal guardian if the individual is a minor, legal guardian if the individual is an adult under guardianship, or an individual’s legally appointed healthcare agent.
“(8) “Patient” means an individual who receives medical services, products, or devices, including an individual’s parent or legal guardian if the individual is a minor, legal guardian if the individual is an adult under guardianship, or an individual’s legally appointed healthcare agent.
24.
202.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(E) The process for a patient to dispute an adverse financial assistance decision;
“(E) The process for a patient to dispute an adverse financial assistance decision;
“(1) Posting the policy in a prominent location on its website;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(1) Posting the policy in a prominent location on its website;
and ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(B) On bills and statements;
and “(B) On bills and statements;
and “(4) A disclaimer in the application materials that the patient is not required to pay the medical bill until a decision on their application has been rendered, in accordance with section 25(c).
and “(4) A disclaimer in the application materials that the patient is not required to pay the medical bill until a decision on their application has been rendered, in accordance with section 203(e).
25.
203.
“(a) Except in emergency circumstances, a health care facility-FAP shall inform patients of the following before the provision of a medically necessary health service:
“(a) Except in emergency circumstances, a health care facility-FAP shall inform patients of the following information before the provision of a medically necessary health service:
and “(2) If the patient is insured, a good faith estimate of the patient’s cost-sharing responsibilities under the patient’s health insurance plan.
and “(2) If the patient is insured, a good faith estimate of the patient’s cost-sharing responsibility under the patient’s health insurance plan.
“(B) Is participating in a federal or local public assistance program, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, National School Lunch Program free or reduced price meals, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid, or DC Healthcare Alliance;
“(B) Is participating in a federal or local public assistance program, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, National School Lunch Program, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid, or DC Healthcare Alliance;
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(C) Is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of homelessness, as those terms are defined in the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2025, effective October 22, 2005 (D.C.
“(C) Is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of homelessness, as those terms are defined in section 2 of the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2025, effective October 22, 2005 (D.C.
Official Code § 4–751.01);
Official Code § 4-751.01);
or “(E) Satisfies any other criteria established by the Department of Health through rulemaking.
or “(E) Satisfies any other criteria established by the Department through rulemaking.
“(2) A health care facility-FAP shall affirmatively screen a patient for financial assistance if a member of the patient’s household satisfies paragraph (1)(B) or (E) of this subsection.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(2) A health care facility-FAP shall also affirmatively screen a patient for financial assistance if a member of the patient’s household satisfies paragraph (1)(B) or (E) of this subsection.
“(3) A patient who is screened for financial assistance eligibility under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be deemed eligible for financial assistance if they submit an application for financial assistance and provide documentation that they satisfy at least one of the criteria under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
“(3) A patient who is screened for financial assistance eligibility under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be deemed eligible for financial assistance if they apply for financial assistance and provide documentation that they satisfy at least one of the criteria under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
“(c) If a patient does not meet any of the criteria in subsection (b)(1) of this section, the health care facility-FAP shall screen the patient for financial assistance eligibility upon request and determine a patient’s eligibility for financial assistance using:
“(c) If a patient does not meet any of the criteria set forth in subsection (b)(1) of this section, the health care facility-FAP shall screen the patient for financial assistance eligibility upon request and determine a patient’s eligibility for financial assistance using:
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(A) The patient’s most recent available tax return;
“(A) The patient’s most recent available tax return;
“(d) A health care facility-FAP shall provide a patient, including the patient’s representative if the patient is deceased and died intestate, with the opportunity to file an application for financial assistance for up to 240 days after the date of the first posted medical bill;
“(d) A health care facility-FAP shall provide a patient, including the patient’s representative if the patient is deceased and died intestate, with the opportunity to apply for financial assistance for up to 240 days after the date of the first posted medical bill;
provided, that a patient who is the subject of a collection activity by the facility or a collection entity may submit an application for financial assistance at any time and the health care facility-FAP or collection entity shall cease collection activity until the health care facility- FAP renders a decision on the application, including a determination on the amount of medical debt owed, new payment plan terms, or debt cancellation.
provided, that a patient who is the subject of a collection activity by the facility or a collection entity may submit an application for financial assistance at any time and the health care facility-FAP or collection entity shall cease collection activity until the health care facility-FAP renders a decision on the application, including a determination on the amount of medical debt owed, new payment plan terms, or debt cancellation.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(1) If approved, notify the patient that their medical bill has been reduced or eliminated, of any amount still outstanding, and on how to apply for additional financial assistance for any remaining balance;
“(1) If approved, notify the patient that their medical bill has been reduced or eliminated, of any amount still outstanding, and on how to apply for additional financial assistance for any remaining balance;
or “(2) If denied, notify the patient of the denial and include an explanation of the basis for the denial of financial assistance and the process for appealing.
or “(2) If denied, notify the patient of the denial and include an explanation of the basis for the denial of financial assistance and the process for appealing the decision.
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“(g) A health care facility-FAP’s financial assistance policy shall, at a minimum, provide:
“(g) The financial assistance policy shall, at a minimum, provide:
“(1) Free care to patients with household income of 200% or less of the federal poverty level;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(1) Free care to patients with a household income of 200% or less of the federal poverty level;
and “(2) Reduced-cost care to patients with household income of more than 200% but not more than 500% of the federal poverty level by reducing the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the health service, based on the amounts generally billed under 26 U.S.C.
and “(2) Reduced-cost care to patients with a household income of more than 200% but not more than 500% of the federal poverty level by reducing the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the health service, based on the amounts generally billed under 26 U.S.C.
“(A) 75%, for a patient with household income of 201% but not more than 300% of the federal poverty level;
“(A) 75%, for a patient with a household income of more than 200% but not more than 300% of the federal poverty level;
“(B) 60%, for a patient with household income of more than 300% but not more than 400% of the federal poverty level;
“(B) 60%, for a patient with a household income of more than 300% but not more than 400% of the federal poverty level;
and “(C) 40%, for a patient with household income of more than 400% but not more than 500% of the federal poverty level.
and “(C) 40%, for a patient with a household income of more than 400% but not more than 500% of the federal poverty level.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit a health care facility from:
“(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit a health care facility from:
26.
204.
“(a)(1) For a patient who is approved for reduced-cost care financial assistance under section 25 (“eligible patient”), a health care facility-FAP shall offer a payment plan with a monthly installment payment not to exceed 3% of the patient’s monthly household income and with the first payment not due until at least 30 days after the patient is discharged or finished treatment at the facility;
“(a)(1) For a patient who is approved for reduced-cost care financial assistance under section 203 (“eligible patient”), a health care facility-FAP shall offer a payment plan with a monthly installment payment not to exceed 3% of the patient’s monthly household income and with the first payment not due until at least 30 days after the patient is discharged or finished treatment at the facility;
provided, that, upon written request by the patient, or if the patient currently has a payment plan, within the same health care system as the health care facility-FAP, with a higher monthly installment percentage, the health care facility-FAP may offer a payment plan with a higher monthly installment payment.
provided, that, upon written request by the patient, or if the patient currently has a payment plan within the same health care system as the health care facility-FAP with a higher monthly installment percentage, the health care facility-FAP may offer a payment plan with a higher monthly installment payment.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(2) Any medical debt sold by a health care facility-FAP to a collection entity shall retain the terms of the payment plan.
“(2) Any medical debt sold by a health care facility-FAP to a collection entity shall retain the terms of the payment plan.
and “(C) An opportunity to discuss with staff the payment plan option prior to the eligible patient being discharged.
and ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(C) An opportunity to discuss with staff the payment plan option prior to the eligible patient being discharged.
“(c) A health care facility-FAP shall provide patients who enter into a payment plan with a written copy, via mail or email, of the payment plan within 21 days after the patient agrees to the payment plan, which shall, at a minimum, include:
“(c) A health care facility-FAP shall provide patients who enter into a payment plan with a written copy, via mail or email, of the payment plan within 21 days after the agreement, which shall, at a minimum, include:
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(1) The patient fails to make scheduled payments for at least 3 consecutive months;
“(1) The patient fails to make scheduled payments for at least 3 consecutive months;
27.
205.
“(b) The Department of Health shall make the information reported by a health care facility-FAP pursuant to section 6(a-2) and any corrective action plans or fines imposed for a violation of this title publicly available.
“(b) The Department shall make the information reported by a health care facility-FAP pursuant to section 6(a-2) and any corrective action plans or fines imposed for a violation of this title publicly available.
“(c)(1) The Department of Health shall create a process for patients to submit a complaint relating to a health care facility’s noncompliance with this title.
“(c)(1) The Department shall create a process for patients to submit a complaint relating to a health care facility’s noncompliance with this title.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(2) The Department of Health shall review complaints submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection within 30 days after receipt of the complaint.
“(2) The Department shall review complaints submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection within 30 days after receipt of the complaint.
“(d) The Department of Health shall share information obtained pursuant to this title and section 6(a-2) with the Office of the Attorney General, upon request, within 30 days after the request.
“(d) The Department shall share information obtained pursuant to this title and section 6(a-2) with the Office of the Attorney General, upon request, within 30 days after the request is made.
“Sec.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “Sec.
28.
206.
“(a) No later than the applicability date of the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2026, , as approved by the Committee on Health on April 7, 2026 (Committee print of Bill 26- 438), the Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat.
“(a) No later than the applicability date of the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2026, passed on 2nd reading on June 2, 2026 (Enrolled version of Bill 26-438), the Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat.
and “(2) The process for patients to submit a complaint to the Department of Health pursuant to section 27(c).
and “(2) The process for patients to submit a complaint to the Department pursuant to section 205(c).
“(b) The Department of Health shall engage with health care facilities and patient advocates in the development of rules in order to minimize administrative costs for health care providers and ensure a streamlined application process for patients.”.
“(b) The Department shall engage with health care facilities and patient advocates in the rulemaking process in order to minimize administrative costs for health care providers and ensure a streamlined application process for patients.”.
Section 28-3814 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by adding a new subsection (dd) to read as follows:
Title 28 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows:
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(dd)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a health care provider or debt collector shall not engage in medical debt collection until 180 days after the date the consumer receives the first posted medical bill and provide at least 90 days’ notice to the patient before commencing medical debt collection;
(a) Chapter 38 is amended as follows:
provided, that, if the services were provided at a health care facility-FAP, the health care facility-FAP or debt collector:
(1) Section 28-3814 is amended by adding a new subsection (dd) to read as follows:
“(A) Shall include with the notice a statement that explains the availability of free or discounted care for qualifying patients and the process to apply for financial assistance;
“(dd)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a health care provider or debt collector shall not engage in medical debt collection until 180 days after the date the consumer receives the first posted medical bill and shall provide at least 90 days’ notice to the patient before commencing medical debt collection;
and “(B) Shall not engage in medical debt collection against a patient who is eligible for financial assistance under section 25, unless the patient has refused financial assistance, or is receiving discounted care under the health care facility-FAP’s financial assistance policy and has defaulted on their payment plan.
provided, that, if the services were provided at a health care facility-FAP, the health care facility-FAP or debt collector shall:
“(A) Include with the notice a statement that explains the availability of free or discounted care for qualifying patients and the process to apply for financial assistance;
and “(B) Not engage in medical debt collection against a patient who is eligible for financial assistance under section 203 of the Health Services Planning Program Re- establishment Act of 1996, passed on 2nd reading on June 2, 2026 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 438), unless the patient has refused financial assistance or is receiving discounted care under the health care facility-FAP’s financial assistance policy and has defaulted on their payment plan.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(A) Request the court to vacate the judgment in any collection lawsuit over the medical debt and attempt to enter into a payment plan with the patient;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(A) Request the court to vacate the judgment in any collection lawsuit over the medical debt and attempt to enter into a payment plan with the patient;
“(4)(A) A health care provider or debt collector who knows or should have known about an appeal of a health insurance decision that is pending or was pending within the previous 90 days that forms the basis of the medical debt shall not:
“(4)(A) A health care provider or debt collector who knows or should have known about an appeal of a health insurance decision that is pending or was pending within the previous days that forms the basis of the medical debt shall not:
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(ii) Initiate a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding against the patient relating to the medical debt;
“(ii) Initiate a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding against the patient relating to the medical debt;
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(7) For purposes of this subsection, the term:
ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(7) For purposes of this subsection, the term:
“(A) “Health care facility-FAP” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 2(10A) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C.
“(A) “Health care facility-FAP” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 44-401(10A).
Law 11-191;
“(B) “Health care provider” means a person whose primary business is to provide medical services, products, or devices, including a health care facility, as that term is defined in § 44-401(10).
D.C.
“(C) “Medical debt” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 201(5) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, passed on 2nd reading on June 2, 2026 (Enrolled version of Bill 26-438).
Official Code § 44-401(10A).
“(B) “Health care provider” means a person whose primary business is to provide medical services, products, or devices, including a health care facility, as that term is defined in section 2(10) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C.
Law 11-191;
D.C.
Official Code § 44-401(10)).
“(C) “Medical debt” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 23(5) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, approved by the Committee on Health on April 7, 2026 (Committee print of Bill 26-438).
Sec.
(2) A new section 28-3820 is added to read as follows:
4.
Title 28 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows:
(a) Chapter 38 is amended as follows:
(1) A new section 28-3820 is added to read as follows:
“(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “medical lending product” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 23(6).
“(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “medical lending product” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 201(6) of the Health Services Planning Program Re- establishment Act of 1996, passed on 2nd reading on June 2, 2026 (Enrolled version of Bill 26- 438).
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(b) A health care provider, as that term is defined in § 28-3814(dd), shall not:
“(b) A health care provider, as that term is defined in § 28-3814(dd)(7)(B), shall not:
or ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(6) If the services were provided at a health care facility-FAP, offer a medical lending product or another form of credit until the health care facility-FAP has offered or conducted a financial assistance eligibility screening pursuant to section 25.”.
or “(6) If the services were provided at a health care facility-FAP, as defined in § 44- 401(10A), offer a medical lending product or another form of credit until the health care facility- FAP has offered or conducted a financial assistance eligibility screening pursuant to section 203 ENROLLED ORIGINAL of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, passed on 2nd reading on June 2, 2026 (Enrolled version of Bill 26-438).”.
(1) Section 28–3904 is amended as follows:
(1) Section 28-3904 is amended as follows:
(A) Subsection (ll) is amended to read as follows:
(A) Subsection (nn) is redesignated as subsection (ll).
(B) Subsection (ll) is amended to read as follows:
(B) Subsection (mm) is amended to read as follows:
(C) A new subsection (mm) is added to read as follows:
“(mm) violate any provision of D.C.
“(mm) violate any provision of § 28-3820.”.
Code § 28-3820.”.
(2) Section 28-3909(a) is amended by striking the phrase “28-3819, 28-3851” and inserting the phrase “28-3819, 28-3820, 28-3851” in its place.
(C) Subsection (nn) is repealed.
(2) Section 28–3909(a) is amended by striking the phrase “28-3819, 28-3851” and inserting the phrase “28-3819, 28-3820, 28-3851” in its place.
5.
4.
(b) Subsection (a) is amended by striking the phrase “have a lien upon that part going or belonging to such patient, of any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by such patient” and inserting the phrase “have a lien upon that part going or belonging to such patient, ENGROSSED ORIGINAL of any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by such patient;
(b) Subsection (a) is amended by striking the phrase “have a lien upon that part going or belonging to such patient, of any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by such patient” and inserting the phrase “have a lien upon that part going or belonging to such patient, of any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by such patient;
6.
5.
“(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an order of revival shall not be granted for a judgment or decree to enforce the collection of medical debt, as that term is defined in section 23(5).”.
“(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an order of revival shall not be granted for a judgment or decree to enforce the collection of medical debt, as that term is defined in section 201(5) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, passed on 2nd reading on June 2, 2026 (Enrolled version of Bill 26-438).”.
7.
6.
(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL (b) The Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification.
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL (c)(1) The Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register.
(c)(1) The Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register.
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7.
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___________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia _________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 12
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Action History

  1. Act A26-0365 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 009402

  2. Transmitted to Congress, Projected Law Date is Sep 18, 2026

  3. Returned from Mayor

  4. Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0365

  5. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jul 01, 2026

  6. Final Reading, CC

  7. First Reading, CC

  8. Committee Mark-up of B26-0438 by the Health Committee

  9. Public Hearing on B26-0438

  10. Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register

  11. Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Health

  12. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0438 Published in the District of Columbia Register

  13. Referred to Committee on Health

  14. B26-0438 Introduced by Councilmember Henderson at Office of the Secretary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 13 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (13)

"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

Who sponsors B 26-0438?
B 26-0438 is sponsored by Christina Henderson.
What is the current status of B 26-0438?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced October 20, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track B 26-0438?
Track B 26-0438 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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