Committee advances medical‑credit‑card bill that bars providers from charging deferred‑interest cards before services are rendered

Representative Turco moved HB 5127, a JFS bill aimed at curbing deceptive uses of so‑called medical credit cards, and the General Law Committee voted to send the measure to the floor after extended debate.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Turco, told the committee the measure responds to “numerous complaints” in Connecticut and nationwide about lenders that offer deferred‑interest products that typically begin with a 0% introductory period and can result in retroactive interest that “starts getting accrued on day 1.” The JFS language sponsors presented would: prohibit providers from charging deferred‑interest or similar cards before the medical service is provided (so patients receive the full promotional period); prohibit providers from receiving compensation for enrolling patients; restrict provider solicitation…