Medical Debt Relief: Vice President Kamala Harris's Pivotal Policy

As Kamala Harris gears up for her presidential campaign, her extensive work to combat medical debt is emerging as a signature policy accomplishment. This effort, which has received less attention compared to her advocacy for abortion access, is critical for the 100 million Americans affected by medical debt.

“The Biden-Harris administration has done more to talk about medical debt than any other administration in history,” said Mona Shah, senior director of policy and strategy at the Community Catalyst Action Fund. Harris's initiatives have led to significant changes, including the removal of medical bills from the credit reports of about 30 million Americans.

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Harris's coordination with officials at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau aims to address the persistent issue of unpaid medical debt on credit reports. Proposed federal rules could further ban the incorporation of medical debt in credit scores and mortgage evaluations.

This focus on medical debt aligns with Harris's broader efforts to tackle financial burdens on Americans. Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, praised Harris's consistent advocacy, drawing parallels to her past work on student debt and the mortgage crisis as California's attorney general.

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Harris is also spearheading a pilot project in North Carolina to forgive the medical debt of about 2 million people. This initiative, developed with Governor Roy Cooper, aims to reward hospitals that relieve existing medical debt and adopt preventative policies.

Governor Cooper expressed optimism about the program's potential impact, stating, “We think that if we can clear the deck with medical debt for low- to middle-income people, not only will that significantly relieve a burden for them, but it also can help make people healthier.”

This policy initiative reflects Harris's commitment to reducing financial stress and enhancing opportunities for Americans, reinforcing her presidential campaign's focus on practical solutions for everyday issues.

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