This week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced the bipartisan Reporting Medical Debt Payments as Positive Consumer Credit Information Act that will reverse federal law to report medical payments on credit reports which will help individuals with debt to build their credit.

Currently, medical debt negatively affects credit scores, but making payments on this debt does not improve credit scores. This bill will reverse those limitations in federal law by accepting medical payments positively to build an individual’s credit score.

“If you’re working hard to pay off your medical bills, you should be able to see it reflected in your credit score,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Reporting positive progress on medical debt will help working families across Southwest Washington build credit for the future in spite of the financial strain of unexpected medical expenses.”

“Medical bills shouldn’t affect individuals credit score,” said Rep. Bacon. “I do not support individuals getting penalized for medical bills being paid through payment plans. Some medical bills can cost thousands of dollars, if not more. Healthcare is one of the most unaffordable insurances for individuals.”

Last year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez urged the CFPB to remove medical debt from credit reports, to keep credit scores impacted by a lack of medical debt payments from making it more difficult for working people to get a job, buy a house or car, or start a small business.

Full text of the bill is available here.