State Rep. Andrew Kuzma | Pennsylvania 39th Legislative District
State Rep. Andrew Kuzma | Pennsylvania 39th Legislative District
Rep. Andrew Kuzma and a group of bipartisan legislators have introduced a bill aimed at alleviating medical debt for low-income residents in Pennsylvania. The proposed legislation, named the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Relief Program, seeks to provide relief to individuals burdened by medical expenses while also benefiting healthcare providers in rural areas who often face unrepaid debts.
The bill includes measures to enhance transparency in hospital charity care programs and offers assistance for applying for such care to prevent future debt accumulation. Rep. Kuzma expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its potential benefits for Pennsylvanians.
Rep. Arvind Venkat, one of the bill's sponsors, emphasized the unique challenge of medical debt in America and expressed hope that the legislation would bring relief to many families. He noted the bipartisan nature of the effort as a key factor in addressing healthcare affordability.
Rep. Nate Davidson described the proposal as a lifeline that restores dignity and empowers families without financial hardship due to medical costs. He stressed its value to taxpayers and its potential positive impact on lives across Pennsylvania.
Nurse and legislator Rep. Tarik Khan shared his experiences with patients avoiding necessary care due to high costs, advocating for the bill as a means to provide essential relief.
Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski related her personal experience with her son's leukemia diagnosis, stressing that no family should face financial distress when seeking treatment for serious conditions.
Jim Rigby highlighted his previous support for similar legislation and reiterated his commitment by cosponsoring this session's version alongside Rep. Venkat.
Tim Twardzik emphasized that investing in medical debt relief is both compassionate and practical, allowing healthcare providers more resources for patient care rather than collections.
A similar program implemented by Pittsburgh city council invested $1 million to alleviate residents' medical debt, resulting in $115 million discharged health care debt affecting 24,000 residents.
The 39th Legislative District represented by Kuzma covers parts of Allegheny County including Elizabeth Township and several boroughs along with parts of Washington County including Monongahela City.
Alerts Sign-up