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HB1725 Passed by VA General Assembly!
Great news! Today, HB1725 (Del. Delaney - 9th), which will help Virginians from being trapped by an endless cycle of medical debt, has officially been passed by the General Assembly! The bill will now go to Governor Youngkin's desk for signature. We may still have work to do to convince him not to veto the legislation so stay tuned!
Thanks to all who took action this week to help advocate for the bill. We are grateful to Delegate Karrie Delaney for championing this legislation. Please send her a note of appreciation if you can:DelKDelaney@house.virginia.gov

HB 1725 Background:
- HB 1725 helps safeguard Virginians from the most extreme forms of debt collection practices.
- Patient groups, hospitals, and other health facility stakeholders worked together on a compromise amendment for the bill. Key provisions of the bill:
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Caps interest rates for medical debt at 3% a year and interest cannot accrue in the first 90 days following a final invoice (provides a 90-day interest-free grace period)
- Prohibits wage garnishment for all patients who qualify for financial assistance programs
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Prohibits a lien or foreclosure on all real and personal property (protects everything a patient owns including the equity in their home)
- 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.
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