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Debate grows over bill to ban interest on medical debt and shorten collection windows
Summary
SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and limit judgment enforcement to six years; patient advocates supported the measure as an affordability step while hospitals, medical groups and collectors warned of financial strain, unintended consequences and asked for stakeholder study.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Lawmakers heard hours of testimony on SB 5993 on Jan. 19, a high-stakes affordability measure that would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten the enforceability and renewal period for judgments that include medical obligations.
Tim Ford, committee staff, told senators the bill would ban interest on new and unpaid medical debt, limit the enforceability of judgments that include medical debt to six years from entry, and bar renewal of such judgments. Under current law, prejudgment interest on medical debt is capped at 9% and judgments can be extended; SB 5993 would substantially shorten that timeline.
Sen. Emily Alvara…
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