Medical Debt Policy Scorecard

Medical Debt Policy Scorecard Website Homepage with a map that compares policies by US States

i4J launches first-of-its-kind Medical Debt Policy Scorecard

With the Medical Debt Policy Scorecard, policymakers in legislatures across the country can now see how their states rank and exactly where they excel — or fall short — in addressing a mounting medical debt crisis affecting one in five Americans.

  • Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical debt impacted a staggering number of people throughout the United States every year, with 22% of adults in the United States reporting that they avoided some form of medical care because of the cost. The volume of medical debt lawsuits in the civil legal system is on the rise, representing approximately 24% of civil cases. By the time a medical debt reaches the court system, devastating consequences for the debtor are almost inevitable; more than 70% of debt cases end in default judgments against the debtor, turning into wage garnishments, liens, civil arrests, and the inability to secure housing, credit, and employment. A medical debt collection lawsuit is the final chapter in a much longer story about poverty, inequality, and a shortage of policies to prevent socio-economic harms from becoming civil legal issues.

    The Medical Debt Policy Scorecard Website offers an open-source dataset, interactive map, and detailed report to researchers, policy advocates, and state legislators. The 50 states were scored and ranked across four policy goals: (1) reducing how often people incur medical debt; (2) increasing the ability of patients to resolve debt out of court; (3) improving the openness, efficiency, and equity for people navigating medical debt court cases without a lawyer; and (4) reducing the negative consequences for debtors after court.

    Visit: Medical Debt Policy Scorecard Website

    See the Project Brief: Medical Debt Policy Scorecard Project Brief

  • The Medical Debt Policy Scorecard was developed by an interdisciplinary team applying a design and systems thinking approach to community-engaged research. To download the report and review a detailed explanation of the research methods used, visit the Methodology section of the Scorecard Website.

    Learn More: Methods, Report, and Data

  • The innovative online Medical Debt Policy Scorecard ranks states by their medical debt policies and offers policymakers a path forward. View the full press release for more details and contact information.

    Learn more: Press Release

In the News

Featured

Governments can erase your medical debt for pennies on the dollar — and some are, Stateline, February 13, 2024.

New Jersey governor pushes medical debt relief, Becker's Hospital Review, January 10, 2024.

In Speech, New Jersey Governor Backs Phonics and Medical Debt Relief, The New York Times, January 9, 2024.

Which states are the best (and worst) at protecting residents from medical debt?, Benefits Pro, July 18, 2022

5 Things Texas: 1925 abortion ban, Child health policy recommendations, Medical debt guidance, State of Reform, July 13, 2022

South Carolina ranks 49th out of 50 in new study ranking states medical debt collection policies, WBTV, July 12, 2022

Treasurer calls state hospitals ‘cartels’ profiting during pandemic, including Novant’s $812M, Port City Daily, June 28, 2022.

Medical Bills Can Shatter Lives. North Carolina May Act to ‘De-Weaponize’ That Debt, KHN, June 21, 2022.

North Carolina proposes new law to protect patients from medical debt, Revolt, June 21, 2022.

North Carolina considers new laws to 'de-weaponize' medical debt and protect patients, NPR, June 21, 2022.

Study says Arizona isn't doing enough to protect consumers from high medical debt, AZPM, June 17, 2022.

Kansas and Missouri could and should help rein in medical debt, researchers say, KCUR, June 14, 2022.

The 15 states with the best and worst medical debt collection protections, Becker's Hospital Review, June 10, 2022

Report: Colorado is 5th best state for consumer protections from medical debt collections, The Center Square, June 9, 2022

From 28th to 2nd: New bill would make NC near best nationwide at protecting patients from medical debt collection, WBTV, June 7, 2022.

i4J's Innovative Online Scorecard Ranks States by Their Medical Debt Policies, Offers Policymakers a Path Forward, University of Arizona Law, May 25, 2022