LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 7, 2025) — This week, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) continued her fight to help Michiganders burdened by medical debt. In the Senate Health Policy Committee earlier this week, members heard testimony on a bipartisan package she introduced with Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater) that would establish clear guidelines for hospitals to offer financial assistance programs for patients struggling with medical expenses. At the same time, Sen. Anthony is joining Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) to introduce additional legislation that seeks to expand consumer protections around medical debt.
“Medical debt isn’t just a number — it’s families worrying about their future, skipping care, and feeling trapped by bills they never expected. This legislation builds on the work we’re already doing at the state level to provide real relief,” said Sen. Anthony. “It offers a proactive, commonsense solution, protecting patients from harmful collection practices while giving hospitals clear, workable standards. It’s a balanced approach that helps ensure people aren’t punished for seeking the care they need.”
Doctors and policy experts from across Michigan joined Sen. Anthony on Wednesday to testify in support of Senate Bills 449–451, which seek to standardize the financial assistance programs nonprofit hospitals are required to provide, while establishing clear, consistent metrics for eligibility to ensure support is available to those who need it most. Additionally, this package would prevent medical debt from being included in consumer credit reports, protecting residents from long-term financial harm due to health-related costs. A full vote of the committee is expected in the near future.
“Medical debt affects millions of Michiganders, often leading to bankruptcy, denied care, or ruined credit. By curbing predatory practices, we can ease burdens on working families without undue strain on providers,” said Rep. Rigas. “People who are paying their debt should not be living in fear of foreclosure or bankruptcy.”
Understanding that the growing issue of medical debt will take a multi-faceted approach to fully tackle, Sen. Anthony is teaming up with Rep. Rigas to introduce additional legislation that focuses on strengthening consumer protections for patients. Modeled after similar legislation passed in Virginia, this legislation would:
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Cap interest and late fees on medical debt at 3% annually, beginning after a 90-day grace period.
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Prohibit liens and home foreclosures resulting from medical debt.
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Prohibit wage garnishment for patients who qualify for financial assistance.
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Update the Consumer Protection Act to reflect the above changes.
“Financially, I feel hopeless and ashamed because seven years ago, my body betrayed me – and now, I cannot afford to keep up,” said Amanda Schlesier, who was only 26 years old when she was diagnosed with two types of cancer — Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. Today, the stream of medical bills and the calls from debt collectors remain a constant presence in her life.
This legislative work builds on Sen. Anthony’s successful push to include $4.5 million in the 2024 state budget for medical debt relief. Through partnerships and local matching funds, this investment is projected to erase an estimated $450 million in medical debt for more than 180,000 Michiganders.
To learn more about Sen. Anthony’s efforts to build a more economically just health care system, visit SenatorAnthony.com/medical-debt-cosponsor. Michiganders are also invited to sign on as a citizen co-sponsor or share their personal experiences with medical debt to help build the momentum this legislation needs to move forward.