Read the full stored bill text
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT
D.C. ACT 26-365
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SULY 2, 2026
To amend theHealthServicesPlanningProgram Re-establishmentAct of 1996 torequirethe
DepartmentofHealthtocollectcertaindataandtorequirecertainhealthcarefacilities
toofferfinancialassistanceandpaymentplanstoeligiblepatients;toamendChapter38
of Title 28ofthe Districtof Columbia OfficialCode toprohibitthereportingof medical
debttoa creditreportingagency,wage garnishmentsandpropertylienstocollecton a
medicaldebt,andhealthcareprovidersfromassistingpatientswithcompleting
applicationsfor,orpromoting,medicallendingproductsundercertainconditionsorrequiringcreditcardauthorizationbeforethedatethathealthservicesareprovidedor
costsareincurred;toamend Chapter39of Title28 of theDistrictof Columbia to make
a violationof therestrictionson medicallendingproductsan unfairor deceptivetrade
practice;andforotherpurposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
actmay be citedas the“MedicalDebt MitigationAmendment Actof 2026”.
Sec.2.TheHealthServicesPlanningProgramRe-establishmentActof1996,effective
April9,1997(D.C.Law11-191;D.C.OfficialCode§44-401efseq.),isamendedasfollows:(a)TheexistingtextisdesignatedasTitleI.
(b)Title|isamendedasfollows:(1)Section2(D.C.Code§44-401)isamendedbyaddinganewparagraph(0A)
toreadasfollows:“(10A)“Healthcarefacility-FAP”meansahealthcarefacility,butexcludingan
intermediatecarefacility,skillednursingfacility,orhomehealthagency,thatisrequiredtohave
afinancialassistancepolicyundertitleII.”.(2)Section6(D.C.OfficialCode44-405)isamendedbyaddinganewsubsection
(a-2)toreadasfollows:“(a-2)Beginningoneyearaftertheapplicabilitydateofthissubsection,andannually
thereafter,eachhealthcarefacility-FAPshallprovideawrittenreporttotheDepartmentonitsfinancialassistancepolicy,including:
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(1)Thenumberofpatientswhoreceivedfinancialassistanceinthepast12months,disaggregatedbypatientswhoreceivedfreeanddiscountedcate,residency,race,ethnicity,age,andprimarylanguagespoken,ifsuchinformationisavailable;“(2)Thetotalamountoffinancialassistanceprovided,disaggregatedbyamountstoprovidefreeanddiscountedcare;“(3)Thetotalnumberanddollaramountofoutstandingmedicalbillsowedbypatients,includingalistofthemedicalbillamountper patientandthepercentageofthosepatientswhowerescreenedforfinancialassistanceeligibility;(4)Inthepastyear:
“(A)Thenumberofinstancesthehealthcarefacility-FAPhassoldmedicaldebttoacollectionentity,asthattermisdefinedinsection201(1),includingthebusinessnameofthecollectionentity;“(B)Thetotaldollaramountthathasbeensoldtoeachcollectionentity;
and
“(C)Thenumberofinstancesthehealthcarefacility-FAPorcollection
entityactingon behalfof theheathcarefacility-FAPhas commenced litigationagainsta patient
tocollecton medicaldebt,includingthecourtinwhich thelitigationwas commenced;
“(5)A descriptionof how thehealthcarefacility-FAPispublicizingitsfinancial
assistancepolicyandcommunicatingtopatientsabouteligibility;and
“(6)AnyotherinformationrequiredbytheDepartmentthroughrulemaking.”.
(3)Section7(D.C.Code44-406)isamendedbyaddinganewsubsection(e)to
readas follows:
“(e)A healthcarefacility-FAPshallestablisha financialassistancepolicyinaccordance
withtitle[Itoremain ingood standingforitscertificateof need.”.
(c)Anew titleITisaddedtoreadasfollows:
“TITLE I. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND MEDICAL DEBT.
“Sec.201. Definitions.
“Forthepurposesofthistitle,theterm:
“(1)“Collectionentity”meansapersonthatpurchasesmedicaldebtorcollects
medicaldebton behalfof another.
“(2)“Consumerreportingagency”shallhavethesamemeaningasprovidedin
section603(f)of theFairCreditReportingAct,approved October 26, 1970 (84 Stat.1128; 15
US.C.§ 1681a(f).
“(3)“Externalreview”means a reviewof an adversebenefitdetermination,as
thatterm isdefinedinsection101(1)of theHealthBenefitsPlan Members Billof RightsAct of
1998,effectiveApril27, 1999 (D.C.Law 12-274;D.C. OfficialCode § 44-301.01(1)).
“(4)“Financialassistancepolicy”meansthepolicyrequiredbysection202.
“(5)“Medicaldebt”means a debt,includingabill thatisnot pastdue,owed by a
patienttoahealthcareproviderfortheprovisionofmedicalservices,products,ordevices,The
2
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
term“medicaldebt”doesnotincludechargestoacreditcardfortheprovisionofmedicalservices,products,ordevices,unlessthecreditcardisamedicallendingproduct.“(6)“Medicallendingproduct”meansanythird-partyfinancing,includingamedicalcreditcardorinstallmentloan,issuedunderanopen-endorclosed-endcreditplanofferedspecificallyforthepaymentofmedicalservices,products,ordevicesprovidedtoapatient. “(7)“Medicallynecessaryhealthservice”meansahealthservice,includingpharmaceuticals,medicalsupplies,andplasticsurgerydesignedtocorrectdisfigurementcausedbyinjury,illness,orcongenitaldefectordeformity,providedbyahealthcareprovidertoapatientthatisnecessarytoprevent,diagnose,ortreatanillness,injury,conditionordisease,ot
thesymptomsofanillness,injury,conditionordisease,andmeetsacceptedstandardsofmedicine,‘Theterm“medicallynecessaryhealthservice”doesnotincludeelectivecosmetic
surgery.““(8)“Patient”meansanindividualwhoreceivesmedicalservices,products,ordevices,includinganindividual’sparentorlegalguardianiftheindividualisaminor,legalguardianiftheindividualisanadultunderguardianship,oranindividual'slegallyappointed
healthcareagent.
“Sec.202.Financialassistancepolicyrequirements.“(a)(1)Eachhealthcarefacility-FAPshallestablishafinancialassistancepolicytoprovidefinancialassistanceformedicallynecessaryhealthservicestoeligiblepatientsresidingwithinthefacility’sdefinedprimaryservicearea.
“(2)Thefinancialassistancepolicyshallinclude:“(A)Eligibilitycriteria;“(B)Thehealthcarefacility-FAP’sbasisforcalculatingamountscharged
topatients;
“(C)Theapplicationprocess,includingtheinformationand
documentationneededfortheapplication;“(D)Theapplicationreviewprocess,includingthemaximumnumberof
daysneededtodetermineapatient’seligibility:“(E)Theprocessforapatienttodisputeanadversefinancialassistance
decision; “(F)Thebillingandcollectionspolicy,includingpossibleactionsinthe
eventofnon-payment;and
“(G)Theprocesstoensurepatientshaveaccessto,andunderstand,thefinancialassistancepolicy“(3)Thefinancialassistancepolicymaynotdiscriminateonthebasisofapatient’shealthinsurancecoveragestatus,citizenshiporimmigrationstatus,orassets.“(b)A healthcarefacility-FAPshallmakeitsfinancialassistancepolicy,includingauser-friendlysummary,publiclyavailable,includingby:
3
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(1)Postingthepolicyinaprominentlocationonitswebsite:“(2)Providingwrittennoticeofthepolicytopatientsintheirpreferredlanguageduringtheintakeandregistrationprocessanddischarge,whichshallbeavailableinalllanguagesforwhichtheDepartmentofHealthwouldberequiredtoprovidetranslationofvitaldocumentsundersection4oftheLanguageAccessActof2004,effectiveJune19,2004(D.C.Law15-167;D.C.OfficialCode§2-193):“(3)Postingnoticeoftheavailabilityoffinancialassistanceandinstructionstoapply: “(A)Inhightrafficareas,includingtheemergencydepartment,billing
office,waitingarea,andotheroutpatientsettings;and“(B)Onbillsandstatements;and“(4)A disclaimerintheapplicationmaterialsthatthepatientisnotrequiredtopaythemedicalbilluntiladecisionontheirapplicationhasbeenrendered,inaccordancewithsection203(e).
“Sec.203.Eligibilityforfinancialassistance.
“(a)Exceptinemergencycircumstances,ahealthcarefacility-FAPshallinformpatients
ofthefollowinginformationbeforetheprovisionofamedicallynecessaryhealthservice:
“(1)Ifthepatientisuninsured,agoodfaithestimateofthecostofthehealth
service;and
“(2)Ifthepatientisinsured,agoodfaithestimateofthepatient’scost-sharing
responsibilityunderthepatient’shealthinsuranceplan.
*(b)(1)A healthcarefacilityshallaffirmativelyoffertoscreenapatientforfinancial
assistanceifthepatient:
“(A)Isuninsured;
“(B)Isparticipatinginafederalorlocalpublicassistanceprogram,
includingtheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram,SpecialSupplementalNutrition
ProgramforWomen,Infants,andChildren,TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies,National
SchoolLunchProgram,Low-IncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram,Medicaid,orDC
HealthcareAlliance;
“(C)Isexperiencinghomelessnessorisatriskofhomelessness,asthose
termsaredefinedinsection2of theHomeless ServicesReform Actof 2025, effectiveOctober
22,2005(D.C.Law 16-35;D.C.OfficialCode§4-751.01);
“(D)Waspreviouslydeterminedtobeeligibleforfinancialassistanceby
thehealthcarefacility-FAPintheprior6-monthperiod;provided,thatthepatient’sincomeor
insurancestatushas not changed duringthattime;or
“(E)SatisfiesanyothercriteriaestablishedbytheDepartmentthrough
rulemaking.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(2)A healthcarefacility-FAPshallalsoaffirmativelyscreenapatientfor
financialassistanceifamemberofthepatient'shouseholdsatisfiesparagraph(1)(B)or(E)of
thissubsection.
“(3)A patientwhoisscreenedforfinancialassistanceeligibilityunderparagraph
(1)ofthis subsectionshallbe deemed eligibleforfinancialassistanceif they applyforfinancial
assistanceandprovidedocumentationthattheysatisfyatleastoneofthecriteriaunderparagraph
(1)ofthissubsection.
“(c)Ifapatientdoesnotmeetanyofthecriteriasetforthinsubsection(b)(1)ofthis
section,thehealthcarefacility-FAPshallscreenthepatientforfinancialassistanceeligibility
uponrequestanddetermineapatient’seligibilityforfinancialassistanceusing:
“(1)Thefollowingproofsofincome:“(A)The patient’smost recentavailabletaxreturn;except,thatthehealth
carefacility-FAPshallexcludeany medicalexpense deductible;
“(B)Tworecentpaystubsfromalladultsinthepatient’shousehold
showingyear-to-dateincome;
“(C)Proofofenrollmentinapublicbenefitsprogram;or
“(D) Otherdocumentationof householdincome identifiedthrough:
rulemaking;and
“(2)Documentationofproofofresidency,includingautilitybill,paystub,bank
statement,government-issuedidentification,or attestationfrom a homelessshelter.
“(d)A healthcarefacility-FAPshallprovidea patient,includingthepatient's
representativeifthepatientisdeceasedanddiedintestate,withtheopportunitytoapplyfor
financialassistanceforupto240daysafterthedateofthefirstpostedmedicalbill;provided,
thata patientwho isthesubjectofa collectionactivityby thefacilityora collectionentitymay
submitan applicationforfinancialassistanceatany timeand thehealthcarefacility-FAPor
collectionentityshallceasecollectionactivityuntilthehealthcarefacility-FAPrendersa
decisionontheapplication,includingadeterminationontheamountofmedicaldebtowed,new
paymentplanterms,ordebtcancellation.
“(e)A healthcarefacility-FAPshalldeterminewhethera patientisentitledtofinancial
assistancewithin30 days afterthepatientfilesa completefinancialassistanceapplicationand:
“(1)Ifapproved,notifythepatientthattheirmedicalbillhasbeenreducedor
eliminated,ofanyamountstilloutstanding,andonhowtoapplyforadditionalfinancial
assistanceforanyremainingbalance;or
(2)Ifdenied,notifythepatientofthedenialandincludeanexplanationofthe
basisforthedenialof financialassistanceand theprocessforappealingthedecision.
(0)A patient’srefusaltobescreenedforfinancialassistanceshallnotbegroundsfor
refusingtoprovidemedicallynecessaryhealthservicesordenyingfinancialassistanceifthe
patientlaterdecidestoapply.
“(g)Thefinancialassistancepolicyshall,ataminimum,provide:
5
ENROLLED ORIGINAL.
“(1)Freecaretopatientswithahouseholdincomeof200%orlessofthefederalpovertylevel;and“(2)Reduced-costcaretopatientswithahouseholdincomeofmorethan200%butnotmorethan500%ofthefederalpovertylevelbyreducingthepatient’sout-of-pocketexpensesforthehealthservice,basedontheamountsgenerallybilledunder26U.S.C.§501(2)(5),by: “(A)75%,forapatientwithahouseholdincomeofmorethan200%butnotmorethan300%ofthefederalpovertylevel;“(B)60%,forapatientwithahouseholdincomeofmorethan300%but
notmorethan400%ofthefederalpovertylevel;and“(C)40%,forapatientwithahouseholdincomeofmorethan400%butnotmorethan500%ofthefederalpovertylevel.“(h)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtoprohibitorlimitahealthcarefacilityfrom: “(1)Grantingfinancialassistancenotwithstandingapatient'sfailuretoprovide
oneoftherequiredformsofdocumentationdescribedinsubsection(c)ofthissection;“(2)Grantingfinancialassistancetopatientsatincomelevelshigherthanthosespecifiedinthissectionortoprovidegreateramountsoffinancialassistancetopatientsthanthoserequiredbythissection;“(3)Requiringapatienttoundertakegoodfaitheffortstoapplyforandenrollininsuranceprogramsforwhichthepatientmaybeeligibleasaconditionofawardingfinancialassistance;or
“(4)Coordinatinginsurancebenefitswithotherstates,
“Sec.204.Medicalexpensespaymentplans.
“(a)(1)Forapatientwhoisapprovedforreduced-costcarefinancialassistanceunder
section203 (“eligiblepatient”),a healthcarefacility-FAPshalloffera payment planwitha
monthlyinstallmentpaymentnottoexceed3%ofthepatient’smonthlyhouseholdincomeand
withthefirstpaymentnotdueuntilatleast30daysafterthepatientisdischargedorfinished
treatmentatthefacility;provided,that,upon writtenrequestby thepatient,or ifthepatient
currentlyhas a payment planwithinthesame healthcaresystem as thehealthcarefacility-FAP
withahighermonthlyinstallmentpercentage,thehealthcarefacility-FAPmayofferapayment
planwithahighermonthlyinstallmentpayment.
“(2)Any medicaldebtsoldby a healthcarefacility-FAPtoa collectionentity
shallretainthetermsofthepaymentplan.
“(b)(1)A healthcarefacility-FAPshallprovideeacheligiblepatientwith:
“(A)An itemizedmedicalbill;
“(B)A documentexplainingtheexistenceofa paymentplanoption,the
eligiblepatient'seligibility,andhowtorequestapaymentplan;and
6
ENROLLED ORIGINAL,
“(C)An opportunitytodiscusswithstaffthepaymentplanoptionpriorto
theeligiblepatientbeingdischarged.
“(2)Aneligiblepatientshallhave45daysafterreceivingthefirststatementto
decidewhethertoentera paymentplan.
*()A healthcarefacility-FAPshallprovidepatientswhoenterintoapaymentplanwith
awrittencopy,viamailoremail,ofthepaymentplanwithin21daysaftertheagreement,which
shall,ata minimum, include:
“(1)Thetotalamountofdebtowed,includingprincipal,fees,andanyother
charges;
“(2)Thescheduleofinstallmentpayments,includingtheexpecteddatebywhich
themedicalbillwillbe paidinfull;and
“(3)Informationonwhetherlateormissedpaymentswouldincurpenalties.
“(d)A healthcarefacility-FAPorcollectionentitymayaccelerateapaymentplanor
declareitindefaultornolongeroperativeif:
“(1)Thepatientfailstomakescheduledpaymentsforatleast3consecutive
months;
“(2)Thehealthcarefacility-FAPorcollectionentityhasmadeatleast3
reasonableattemptstocontactthepatientbytelephoneoranothermethodofcontactpreferredby
thepatient;
“(3)Thehealthcarefacility-FAPorcollectionentityhasprovidedthepatient
writtennoticethatthepayment planmay be declaredindefaultand withan opportunityto
renegotiatethepaymentplan;and
“(4)The healthcarefacility-FAPorcollectionentityhas made a good faitheffort
torenegotiatethetermsofthepaymentplan,ifrequestedbythepatient.
“(e)A healthcarefacility-FAPorcollectionentityshallnotcommencea civilaction
againstthepatientfornonpaymentuntilatleast90daysafterthepaymentplanisdeclaredin
default,
“Sec.205.Compliance and enforcement.
“(a)A violationofthis titleshallbe considereda violationof section 17.
“(b)TheDepartmentshallmaketheinformationreportedbyahealthcarefacility-FAP
pursuanttosection6(a-2)andanycorrectiveactionplansorfinesimposedforaviolationofthis
titlepubliclyavailable.
“(c)(1)TheDepartmentshallcreateaprocessforpatientstosubmitacomplaintrelating
toa healthcarefacility’snoncompliancewiththistitle.
“(2)TheDepartmentshallreviewcomplaintssubmittedpursuanttoparagraph(1)
ofthissubsectionwithin30 daysafterreceiptofthecomplaint.
“(d)The Department shallshareinformationobtainedpursuanttothistitleand section
6(a-2)withtheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral,uponrequest,within30daysaftertherequestis
made.
7
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“Sec.206.Rulemaking.“(a)NolaterthantheapplicabilitydateoftheMedicalDebtMitigationAmendmentActof2026,passedon2ndreadingonJune2,2026(EnrolledversionofBill26-438),theMayor,
pursuanttoTitleIoftheDistrictofColumbiaAdministrativeProcedureAct,approvedOctober
21,1968(82Stat.1204;D.C.OfficialCode§2-501etseq.)shallissuerulestoimplementtheprovisionsofthistitle,including:“(1)Minimumrequirementsforpatientappealsregardingtheireligibilityforfinancialassistance;and“(2)TheprocessforpatientstosubmitacomplainttotheDepartmentpursuanttosection205(c).“(b)TheDepartmentshallengagewithhealthcarefacilitiesandpatientadvocatesintherulemakingprocessinordertominimizeadministrativecostsforhealthcareprovidersand
ensureastreamlinedapplicationprocessforpatients.”
Sec.3.Title28oftheDistrictofColumbiaOfficialCodeisamendedasfollows:(a)Chapter38isamendedasfollows:(1)Section28-3814isamendedbyaddinganewsubsection(dd)toreadasfollows:“(dd)(1)Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthissection,ahealthcareproviderordebtcollectorshallnotengageinmedicaldebtcollectionuntil180daysafterthedatetheconsumerreceivesthefirstpostedmedicalbillandshallprovideatleast90days”noticetothepatientbeforecommencingmedicaldebtcollection;provided,that,iftheserviceswereprovidedatahealthcarefacility-FAP,thehealthcarefacility-FAPordebtcollectorshall:“(A)Includewiththenoticeastatementthatexplainstheavailabilityoffreeordiscountedcareforqualifyingpatientsandtheprocesstoapplyforfinancialassistance;and “(B)Notengageinmedicaldebtcollectionagainstapatientwhoiseligibleforfinancialassistanceundersection203oftheHealthServicesPlanningProgramRe-establishmentActof1996,passedon2ndreadingonJune2,2026(EnrolledversionofBill26-438),unlessthepatienthasrefusedfinancialassistanceorisreceivingdiscountedcareunderthehealthcarefacility-FAP’sfinancialassistancepolicyandhasdefaultedontheirpaymentplan.*(2)Interestonmedicaldebtshallnotexceed3%annually;except,thatadebtcollectorshallnotchargeanyinterestonmedicaldebtrelatedtoservicesreceivedatahealthcarefacility-FAPifthepatientisreceivingfinancialassistanceandhasnotdefaulted.(3)Ifacourthasenteredajudgmentonamedicaldebtauthorizingahealthcarefacility-FAPor debt collectorto collecton a medical debt and itislaterdetermined thatthe
patientwasnotscreenedforfinancialassistanceeligibilityandisdeterminedtoqualifyforfinancialassistance,thehealthcarefacility-FAPordebtcollectorshall:
8
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(A)Requestthecourttovacatethejudgmentinanycollectionlawsuit
overthemedicaldebtandattempttoenterintoapaymentplanwiththepatient;
“(B)Requestthecourttoreducetheamountofthejudgment,including
anyfeesandcostsrelatedtothecollectionlawsuit,tothetotalamountthepatientowes pursuant
tothefinancialassistancepolicythatthepatientqualifiesfor,attempttoenterintoa payment
planwiththepatient,andsuspendallexecutiononthejudgmentwhilethepatientisin
compliancewiththetermsofthepaymentplan;
*(C)Fileapartialsatisfactionofjudgmentsuchthattheremainingunpaid
balanceofthe judgment,includingany feesand costsrelatedtothecollectionlawsuit,isequalto
thetotalamountthepatientowesunderthefinancialassistancepolicythatthepatientqualifies
for,attempttoenterintoa payment planwith thepatient,and suspendallexecutionon the
judgmentwhilethepatientiscompliantwiththetermsofthepaymentplan;or
“(D)Fileasatisfactionofjudgmentandrefundanyexcessamounttothe
patientifthepatienthas paidany partofthemedicaldebtinexcessof the amount thatthepatient
owes afterbeingscreenedforfinancialassistanceeligibility.
“(4)(A)A healthcareprovideror debtcollectorwho knows or shouldhave known
aboutanappealof'ahealthinsurancedecisionthatispendingorwaspendingwithintheprevious
90 days thatforms thebasisof themedicaldebtshallnot:
*())Communicatewiththepatientregardingtheunpaidchargesfor
thepurposeofseekingtocollectthemedicaldebt;
“Gi)Initiatealawsuitorarbitrationproceedingagainstthepatient
relatingtothemedicaldebt;or
“Gii)Refer,sell,or send themedicaldebttoa debtbuyer.
“(B)Forthepurposesofthisparagraph,anappealofa healthinsurance
decisionincludes:
(i)Anappealorgrievancefiledwithaninsurerforareviewofa
decisiontodeny,reduce,limit,terminate,or delaycoveredhealthservices;
“(ii)An independentmedicalreviewbythehealthcareprovider
providingmedicalservices;
“(iii)An appealregardingMedicarecoverageconsistentwith
federallaw and regulations;or
“(iv)An appealorrequestforanexternalreview.
“(5)A healthcareproviderordebtcollectorcollectingonmedicaldebtshallnot:
“(A)Fileapropertylienagainstapatient’sprimaryresidence,or
“(B)Garnishthewagesofa patientwithanannualhouseholdincomeless
than500%ofthefederalpovertylevel.
“*(6)(A)A healthcareprovideror debtcollectorshallnot reporttoa consumer
reportingagencytheamountorexistenceofanymedicaldebtthatapatientowes.
“(B)Subparagraph(A)ofthisparagraphshallnotbeconstruedto
otherwiselimitaconsumerreportingagencyfromreportingknowndebts.
9
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(7)For purposesofthis subsection,theterm:
“(A) “Healthcarefacility-FAP”shal!have thesame meaning as provided
in§44-401(10A).
“(B)“Healthcareprovider”means a personwhose primarybusinessisto
providemedicalservices,products,or devices,includinga healthcarefacility,asthatterm is
definedin§44-401(10).
“(C)“Medical debt”shallhave thesame meaning as providedinsection
201(5)of theHealthServicesPlanningProgram Re-establishmentAct of 1996,passedon 2nd
readingonJune2,2026(EnrolledversionofBill26-438).
“(D) “Medicaldebtcollection”means debtcollectionof medicaldebt.
The term “medicaldebtcollection”does not includetheactofpostingthefirstmedicalbill,
sendingmonthlystatements,oranattempttoverifyinsurancecoverageorcligibility.”.
(2)A newsection28-3820isaddedtoreadasfollows:
Ҥ 28-3820.Prohibitionon certainmedicallendingpromotion,
“(a)Forthepurposesofthissection,theterm“medicallendingproduct”shallhavethe
samemeaningasprovidedinsection201(6)ofthe HealthServicesPlanningProgramRe-
establishmentAct of 1996,passedon 2nd readingon June 2,2026 (Enrolledversionof Bill 26-
438).
“(b)A healthcareprovider,asthatterm isdefinedin§ 28-3814(dd)(7)(B),shallnot:
“(1)Complete,orassistapatientincompleting,anyportionofanapplicationfor
amedicallendingproduct;
*(2)Promoteamedicallendingproducttoapatientwho:
“(A)Isundertheinfluenceofgeneralanesthesia,conscioussedation,or
moderationsedation,includinganyperiodinwhichthepatienthasbeenadvisednottoengagein
activitiesduetosuchinfluence;
“(B)Isbeingadministeredtreatment;or
#(C)Isina treatmentarea,includinganexamroom,surgicalroom,or
otherareawhere medicaltreatmentisadministered,unlessan areaseparatedfrom thetreatment
areadoesnotexiston site;
“(3)Charge a medicallendingproductfora medicalprocedurebeforethedateof
theprocedureor beforecostshave been incurred;
“(4)Chargeamedicallendingproductoranotherformofcreditwhenthe
patient'sinsurance,includingMedicaid,willcovertheservices,unlesstheamount isfora copay,
deductible,orco-insurance;
“(5)Requirecreditcardpre-authorizationor requirethepatientto have a credit
cardonfilepriortoadministeringemergencyhealthservices;or
““(6)Ifthe serviceswere providedata healthcarefacility-FAP,as definedin§ 44-
401(10A),offera medicallendingproductor anotherformof credit untilthehealthcarefacility-
FAPhasofferedorconducteda financialassistanceeligibilityscreeningpursuanttosection203
10
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
oftheHealthServicesPlanningProgramRe-establishmentActof1996,passedon2ndreadingonJune2,2026(EnrolledversionofBill26-438).”.(b)Chapier39isamendedasfollows:(1)Section28-3904isamendedasfollows:(A)Subsection(nn)isredesignatedassubsection(I).(B)Subsection(II)isamendedtoreadasfollows:“(l)violateanyprovisionofChapter54ofthistitle;or”.
(C)A newsubsection(mm)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(mm)violateanyprovisionof§ 28-3820.”.(2)Section28-3909(a)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“28-3819,28-3851”andinsertingthephrase“28-3819,28-3820,28-3851”initsplace.
Sec.4.Section1ofAnActToestablishalienformoneysduehospitalsforservicesrenderedincasescausedbynegligenceorfaultofothersandprovidingfortherecordingandenforcingofsuchliens,approvedJune30,1939(53Stat.990;D.C.OfficialCode§40-201),is
amendedasfollows:(a)Designatetheexistingtextassubsection(a).(b)Subsection(a)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“havealienuponthatpartgoingorbelongingtosuchpatient,ofanyrecoveryorsumhadorcollectedortobecollectedbysuchpatient”andinsertingthephrase“havealienuponthatpartgoingorbelongingtosuchpatient,ofanyrecoveryorsumhadorcollectedortobecollectedbysuchpatient;provided,thatthelien
shallnotexceed33%oftheaward”initsplace.(c)A newsubsection(b)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(b)Notwithstandingsubsection(a)ofthissection,alienrecordedagainstapatientwithhealthinsuranceinjuredbyreasonofan accidentshallbelimitedtotheamountofthepatient’s
responsibilityundertheirhealthinsurancepolicyiftheinsuranceclaimispaidorthenegotiated
amountwiththehealthinsureriftheclaimisnotpaid.”.
Sec.5.Section15-103oftheDistrictofColumbiaOfficialCodeisamendedasfollows:(a)Designatetheexistingtextassubsection(a).(b)A newsubsection(b)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(b)Notwithstandingsubsection(a)ofthissection,anorderofrevivalshallnotbe
grantedforajudgmentordecreetoenforcethecollectionofmedicaldebt,asthattermisdefinedinsection201(5)oftheHealthServicesPlanningProgramRe-establishmentActof1996,passedon2ndreadingonJune2,2026(EnrolledversionofBill26-438).”.
Sec.6.Applicability.(a)Thisactshallapply6monthsafterthedateofinclusionofitsfiscaleffectinan
approvedbudgetandfinancialplan.
I
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
(b)TheChiefFinancialOfficershallcertifythedateoftheinclusionofthefiscaleffectinanapprovedbudgetandfinancialplan,andprovidenoticetotheBudgetDirectoroftheCouncilofthecertification.(c)(1)TheBudgetDirectorshallcausethenoticeofthecertificationtobepublishedintheDistrictofColumbiaRegister.(2)Thedateofpublicationofthenoticeofthecertificationshallnotaffectthe
applicabilityofthisact.
Sec.7.Fiscalimpactstatement.‘TheCounciladoptsthefiscalimpactstatementinthecommitteereportasthefiscalimpactstatementrequiredbysection4aoftheGeneralLegislativeProceduresActof1975,approvedOctober16,2006(120Stat.2038;D.C.OfficialCode§1-301.47a).
Sec. 8. Effectivedate.
ThisactshalltakeeffectfollowingapprovalbytheMayor(orintheeventofvetobythe
Mayor,actionbytheCounciltooverridetheveto)anda30-dayperiodofcongressionalreviewasprovidedinsection602(c)(1)oftheDistrictofColumbiaHomeRuleAct,approvedDecember24,1973(87Stat.813;D.C.OfficialCode§ 1-206.02(c)(1)).
\irman
Councilofthe Districtof Columbia
UNSIGNED
Mayor
he Cabin
12
DocketNo.826.0438
[DC]ITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR
WASHINGTON,DC,20004
COUNCILOF THEDISTRICTOF COLUMBIA
[x1AcTION Reading,CC
[x]VOTEDATE May6,2026
[x1voicevoTE ‘Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[]ROLLCALLVOTE~Resutt
(GounciMember [Aye[Nay[NV[AB[Rec[CouncilMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec]CounclMember[Aye|Nay|NV[AB[Reo
ChaimanMenton]x Frain x PteAen x Wendoron|x WieBans x LowsGeome[x Toume |xcraw x Naveas |XFolie x Patter xX--IndicateVote AB -Absent NV- Present,NotVoting Rec -Recused
CERTIFICATIONRECORD
So Kk £9.26SayttheCond as
DoctNo,Bas.838
[XJITEMON CONSENTCALENDAR,
pxyacion FinalReading,6
(UX)VOTE DATE June 2,2026
[X]VOICEVOTE ‘Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUESTaasent[)ROLLGALLVOTE—Resut
CouncilMember ‘Aye |Nay|NV_|AB [Rec |CouncilMember| Aye |Nay|NV| AB |Rec|CouncilMember| Aye |Nay|NV |AB| Rec.
tan Mend Frunia x PintoAten x Hendenon[x WieBonds x LewisGeoge[x 7.Wtecrews x Nadeau [xFelder x Paster xnaaVota AbAbsent 1 Present,NotVoting agRocueed
CERTIFICATIONRECORD
—_ ca ‘Counc g
ef 2