Senator Craig Brandt Advances Consumer Protection Legislation for Hospital Billing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2021
Contact: Joaquin Romero
(505) 506-5798
Senator Craig Brandt Advances Consumer Protection Legislation for Hospital Billing
SANTA FE — Senator Craig Brandt (District 40-Sandoval) today advanced Senate Bill 382 (SB 382) through the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee with bipartisan support. SB 382 aims to increase transparency and expediency in hospital billing by extending consumer protection laws to hospitals.
“Medical debt is the number one cause for personal bankruptcy filings and New Mexicans deserve more transparency and efficiency from their healthcare providers,” said Senator Brandt. “Hospital bills received months and even years after a visit can be confusing and frustrating. This bill is a simple way for healthcare providers to restore trust with patients and be more transparent about what patients owe.”
SB 382 requires that all hospital bills be issued within 90 days of patient discharge. The bill must be condensed and processed through one provider, and any subcontractor billing must be collected and distributed by the hospital.
The bill will now advance to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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