The Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2026 seeks to improve financial assistance for patients dealing with medical debt in the District of Columbia. It requires health care facilities to implement a financial assistance policy, which includes reporting on the number of patients receiving aid and the total financial assistance provided. The bill prohibits the reporting of medical debt to credit agencies and restricts wage garnishments and property liens for medical debt collection. Additionally, it limits the promotion of medical lending products by health care providers and mandates that credit card authorization cannot be required prior to service delivery.

The legislation establishes clear eligibility criteria for financial assistance and introduces a structured payment plan for patients receiving reduced-cost care, capping monthly payments at 3% of household income and delaying the first payment for 30 days post-treatment. It emphasizes transparency by requiring itemized billing and clear communication about payment plans. The bill also creates a compliance framework, mandating the Department of Health to make information about financial assistance programs publicly available and to handle patient complaints regarding noncompliance. Furthermore, it protects patients from aggressive debt collection practices, including barring property liens on primary residences and wage garnishment for low-income patients, while ensuring that interest is not charged on medical debt for those receiving financial assistance.