The Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2026 is designed to provide enhanced financial assistance to patients in the District of Columbia who are struggling with medical debt. The bill requires the Department of Health to gather data on financial assistance policies from health care facilities, including the number of patients receiving aid and the total financial assistance provided. Health care facilities must also create clear financial assistance policies that outline eligibility criteria, application processes, and billing practices, ensuring patients are informed of their options prior to receiving services.

In addition to improving financial assistance, the legislation introduces robust protections for patients against aggressive medical debt collection practices. It prohibits the reporting of medical debt to credit agencies, wage garnishments, and property liens, while also restricting health care providers from promoting medical lending products. The bill mandates that patients receive itemized medical bills and information about payment plans, with specific timelines for decision-making and debt collection initiation. Furthermore, it establishes compliance mechanisms for patients to report noncompliance, ensuring that health care providers and debt collectors adhere to the new regulations aimed at protecting patients' rights and financial well-being.