Medical Debt Bill on House Floor Tomorrow! Take Action TODAY!

Medical Debt Bill Will Be Up for a Vote on the full House floor tomorrow afternoon.

While most of our focus has been on the diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging bills in the last few days, we are thrilled to let you know that our other priority legislation for the 2025 General Assembly session, HB1725, has successfully moved out of committee. It will be up for a vote by the full House of Delegates tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, January 29th.

Now, we need to make every effort to get as many bipartisan votes as possible on the floor. Please contact your State Delegate TODAY!!! and urge them to vote YES on HB1725.

Background:

Medical debt is a huge problem for Virginians and cancer patients in particular. Almost half (47%) of cancer patients and survivors have had medical debt related to their cancer.
Imaging and diagnostic tests are some of the most significant sources of unpaid medical bills or other debt related to cancer care: 50% of respondents reported that imaging was a significant source of their debt, and 48% said diagnostic tests.
Patients with breast cancer should not have to manage the financial and emotional strain that the medical debt puts on them and their families.
HB 1725 is an important step toward safeguarding Virginians from the most extreme forms of debt collection practices, like foreclosing on a home, charging interest and late fees, and also ensuring that hospitals can’t delay or deny care because of unpaid bills.

ACTION NEEDED TODAY!

Call or Email your State Delegate!

*Don't know who your legislator is: Who's My Legislator?

Here is a sample email/message:

Good afternoon, Delegate [name] –

My name is [your name] and I live in [city/town]. I am writing you today to ask you to vote YES on Delegate Delaney’s medical debt protection legislation, HB 1725.

[insert personal connection or experience with high medical bills/fighting with hospital billing departments/being concerned about affording the rising costs of healthcare, if you want]

Patients often become trapped by medical debt, which can lead to significant financial strain and, in some cases, cause patients to delay or even skip necessary care. HB 1725 is an important step toward safeguarding Virginians from the most extreme forms of debt collection practices, like foreclosing on a home and garnishing paychecks.

No one chooses to face breast cancer or need major surgery. Yet, the long-lasting negative impacts of medical debt can follow a patient for years and permanently threaten their financial stability.

I hope I can count on you to vote YES on HB 1725 so that patients can focus on what’s most important – their health.

Sincerely,

[your name]

[home address]

THANK YOU!! For questions, contact Kirsta Millar

kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203.

www.vbcf.org | 1-800-345-8223