Legislation promoting charity care and payment plans for Hoosier health care patients, as well as protecting their paychecks and homes from debt collectors, advanced from Indiana’s Senate in a 33-15 vote.
The bill requires hospitals to offer payment plans to patients earning less than 400% of the federal poverty line and caps interest rates at 3% annually.
It also sets limits on debt collection, including wage garnishment and home liens, while allowing patients to file complaints against medical creditors and debt collectors.
