President Joe Biden’s administration will formally propose a rule to bar medical debt from individual credit reports Tuesday, a move that would prevent major health care bills from negatively impacting borrowing.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra will announce the measure, a person familiar with the plan said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the move before it is made public. ABC News first reported the proposal.
The move is the latest effort from the administration to help lower costs for consumers ahead of November’s election rematch between Biden and Republican Donald Trump, in which inflation will be a key issue.
The proposal has been percolating for months. The CFPB said last year it was working on the change. At the time, the agency was also looking to stop lenders from considering such debts in an application and curb certain repayment practices.
The exact parameters of the proposed rule and when it would take effect are unclear. Chopra told ABC it could take effect in 2025, potentially making its enactment dependent on the election.
Three major credit-reporting agencies — TransUnion, Equifax Inc. and Experian Plc — have already voluntarily removed certain existing medical debt from credit reports.
Biden Moves to Bar Medical Debt From Consumer Credit Reports
bgov.com
June 11, 2024 9:58 am
President Joe Biden’s administration will formally propose a rule to bar medical debt from individual credit reports Tuesday, a move that would prevent major health care bills from negatively impacting borrowing.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra will announce the measure, a person familiar with the plan said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the move before it is made public. ABC News first reported the proposal.
The move is the latest effort from the administration to help lower costs for consumers ahead of November’s election rematch between Biden and Republican Donald Trump, in which inflation will be a key issue.
The proposal has been percolating for months. The CFPB said last year it was working on the change. At the time, the agency was also looking to stop lenders from considering such debts in an application and curb certain repayment practices.
The exact parameters of the proposed rule and when it would take effect are unclear. Chopra told ABC it could take effect in 2025, potentially making its enactment dependent on the election.
Three major credit-reporting agencies — TransUnion, Equifax Inc. and Experian Plc — have already voluntarily removed certain existing medical debt from credit reports.