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ck4829

(37,895 posts) Sun Apr 12, 2026, 12:26 PM Yesterday

Some respite from the extremism of absurd medical bills: Governor Mills Signs Law to Strengthen Protections for Maine

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Governor Mills Signs Law to Strengthen Protections for Maine People from the Harmful Impacts of Medical Debt

Governor Janet Mills today signed LD 2129, legislation to protect Maine people by prohibiting medical debt collectors from placing a lien on a person's home or garnishing their wages.

"No one should lose their home or their paycheck because they got sick," said Governor Janet Mills. "We need to do much more to bring down the cost of health care in this country. But in Maine, we're not waiting for the Federal government to act. We are taking action to protect Maine people and to make sure that illness or accident never costs someone their home or their livelihood."

The new law builds on earlier legislation signed by Governor Mills, and also sponsored by Senator Bailey, that prohibited medical debt from appearing on consumer credit reports, helping protect Mainers' credit scores and financial stability.

"Medical debt continues to hurt hardworking Maine families who, through no fault of their own, take on debt for seeking medical care -- often for a life-changing diagnosis or for a life-threatening emergency," said Senator Donna Bailey. "With the signing of this bill, we are taking another critical step to protect Mainers from the harmful impact of this debt. It is a part of our plan to help folks breathe a little easier, so they can focus on their healing and recovery."

https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-signs-law-strengthen-protections-maine-people-harmful-impacts-medical-debt-2026

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Some respite from the extremism of absurd medical bills: Governor Mills Signs Law to Strengthen Protections for Maine (Original Post) ck4829 Yesterday OP

So if medical providers can't collect their pay for services, questionseverything Yesterday #1

Maybe don't rip patients off at every turn? If you bill people for breathing air, eventually they will run out of money ck4829 7 hrs ago #2

questionseverything

(11,855 posts)

1. So if medical providers can't collect their pay for services,

Reply to ck4829 (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 01:56 PM

Yesterday

How will they continue to be in business?

Healthcare needs to be addressed nationally, state by state we have no power because providers will just leave the state

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ck4829

(37,895 posts)

2. Maybe don't rip patients off at every turn? If you bill people for breathing air, eventually they will run out of money

Reply to questionseverything (Reply #1)

Mon Apr 13, 2026, 08:24 AM

7 hrs ago

The case of the $629 Band-Aid — and what it reveals about American health care

Last January, Malcolm Bird took his 1-year-old daughter, Colette, to the local emergency room. His wife had accidentally cut the young girl’s pinky finger while clipping her fingernails, and it had begun to bleed. They were nervous, first-time parents who wanted a doctor’s opinion.

Colette turned out to be completely fine. A doctor ran her finger under the tap, stuck a Band-Aid on her pinky, and sent the family home.

A week later, something else showed up at home: a $629 hospital bill for the Band-Aid and its placement on Colette’s finger.

His insurance had negotiated the price down to $440.30, the amount Bird — who was still in his deductible — was expected to pay.

https://bettersolutionsforhealthcare.org/news-vox-the-case-of-the-629-band-aid/

Analysis: In Medical Billing, Fraudulent Charges Weirdly Pass As Legal

Much of what we accept as legal in medical billing would be regarded as fraud in any other sector.

I have been circling around this conclusion for the past five years, as I’ve listened to patients’ stories while covering health care as a journalist and author. Now, after a summer of firsthand experience — my husband was in a bike crash in July — it’s time to call out this fact head-on. Many of the Democratic candidates are talking about practical fixes for our high-priced health care system, and some legislated or regulated solutions to the maddening world of medical billing would be welcome.

My husband, Andrej, flew over his bicycle’s handlebars when he hit a pothole at high speed on a Sunday ride in Washington. He was unconscious and lying on the pavement when I caught up with him minutes later. The result: six broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken finger, a broken collarbone and a broken shoulder blade.

The treatment he got via paramedics and in the emergency room and intensive care unit were great. The troubles began, as I knew they would, when the bills started arriving.

https://kffhealthnews.org/news/analysis-in-medical-billing-fraudulent-charges-weirdly-pass-as-legal/

If restaurants and retail charged customers like how healthcare billed patients, then the people in them would be taken out in handcuffs.

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