BOSTON — Bay Staters saddled with medical debt could be insulated from wrecked credit scores under pending regulations Gov. Maura Healey announced Tuesday, rules that also aim to ease healthcare affordability and boost access to care.

The proposal from the Department of Public Health would block licensed healthcare providers, as well as debt collectors working for them, from reporting medical debt to consumer credit agencies. Providers that don’t comply could lose their license to practice, said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.

“Right now we’re tying this to licensure, so both facility licensure and professional licensure,” Goldstein said at a press conference at Health Care For All’s office in downtown Boston.

“If somebody were to enter in a contract that actually reported medical debt, their license would be at risk,” Goldstein continued. “That’s the license for the facility or the license for the individual who’s providing the care. It’s a pretty significant penalty for someone who’s trying to provide healthcare.”

Healey framed the proposed regulations as her administration’s latest attempt to tackle soaring healthcare costs, as she emphasized medical debt can hamstring residents’ ability to buy a home, rent an apartment or secure loans. She initially floated her intent to ban medical debt from being reported to credit bureaus during her State of the Commonwealth address in January.

The governor also continues to pull regulatory levers rather than awaiting legislative action. Earlier this year, she announced now-finalized regulations to scrap prior authorization requirements on routine healthcare services.

“Medical debt isn’t a sign of poor financial health. It isn’t a sign that you’ve mismanaged your finances,” Healey said Tuesday. “Medical debt happens because bad stuff happens. You get a disease, you get a diagnosis, you get hurt, and medical bills pile up.”

All of DPH’s 23 licensing boards have voted to advance the proposed regulations, and the department is now seeking written public comments, Healey’s office said. DPH will also hold public hearings July 27 and 28 before health officials finalize the rules.

Asked about the timeline for the rules to take effect, Healey said, “I would like to see these implemented as soon as possible, and the team knows that.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, who continues to work once a week at the Lynn Community Health Center, said “far too many families” are making healthcare decisions based on their ability to pay for other necessities such as groceries, utilities and rent.

“People need protection from potential financial ruin, and they need it today,” Mahaniah said. “Medical debt is a unique burden. Unlike traditional consumer debt, it is not a choice.”

The biennial Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey found that 13.5% of residents had family medical debt, with the vast majority incurring debt while they and all their household family members had insurance coverage. About 41% of people were contacted by a collection agency about their debt, according to the survey conducted by the Center for Health Information and Analysis.

The most common services that led to medical debt included tests, surgical procedures, ongoing care for a chronic condition or long-term health problem, dental care, and emergency care, according to the survey.

More than 140,000 Bay Staters are about to receive more than $170 million in direct debt relief, under a partnership between the Atrius Health Equity Foundation, the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt and the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association.

Patients who meet certain income criteria will have their debt automatically eliminated, and they’ll start receiving notification letters around July 7, the foundation said last week. Medical debt amounts ranging from $50 to $450,000 will be erased, the foundation said.

“This extraordinary abolishment amount will change lives, providing financial and emotional relief, and support re-engagement with the health system,” Undue Medical Debt CEO Allison Sesso said in a statement.

Healey urged other organizations in Massachusetts to follow the foundation’s playbook.

“I think the work of Atrius hopefully will inspire others, inspire other providers, inspire other foundations, inspire those in our healthcare system, including insurers, and employers, and businesses across Massachusetts,” Healey said.