SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Gov. Maura Healey is announcing a new plan to stop medical debt from being reported to consumer credit agencies across the Bay State.

This would prohibit licensed healthcare providers and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus, helping protect patients from long-term financial harm.

This is especially important after an unexpected illness or medical emergency.

“Medical debt affects 100 million Americans,” Healey said. “For these people to be able to wake up and know that medical debt ... this isn’t something you have to worry about. This isn’t something you have to worry about getting reported on to a credit agency and adversely affecting the rest of your life.”

This action builds on Governor Healey’s broader efforts to make health care more affordable for Massachusetts residents.

While this action protects families from some of the financial fallout of medical debt, the administration is also pursuing reforms that reduce the health care costs that can lead to that debt in the first place.

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