For too many families, medical debt is more than just numbers on a bill—it’s a weight that follows them everywhere. It’s the sleepless nights wondering how they’ll keep the lights on while paying for a hospital visit. It’s the moment of hesitation before calling 911 because they fear the cost. It’s the feeling of shame when a debt collector calls, as if getting sick was their fault.

It’s not their fault. It’s a health system, including hospitals, prescription drug manufacturers, and insurance companies, which continues to put profit above people’s health and economic well-being.

And right now, that system is about to get even worse.

The Attack on the CFPB: What’s at Stake

The attack on the CFPB: What’s at Stake

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created to stand up for people, not corporations—to protect us from predatory lenders, abusive debt collectors, and unfair financial practices.

Because of tireless advocacy and organizing from people across the country, the CFPB finalized a new rule that would keep medical debt off credit reports, freeing millions of families from a cycle of financial hardship.

But now, some members of Congress—backed corporate special interests, are trying to gut the CFPB—introducing resolutions to overturn the credit reporting rule before it can take effect.

And they’re moving fast.

If they succeed, debt collectors will win—and millions of families will lose.

This Is Personal: The Cost of Medical Debt

This is Personal: The Cost of Medical Debt

For so many people, medical debt isn’t just a financial burden—it is a constant cloud over their future.

“I’m self-employed. After paying my bills and putting money back into my business I have to go to churches or family to eat. So going to the doctor or dentist is out. I have a heart condition, thyroid [issues], back problems and numerous other health problems but a roof over my head seems more important.” – Cecilia, NC

“Our adult daughter is a mental health therapist. In the past 12 months, she opened her own private practice and has developed a loyal customer base. A few months ago, she became ill and required substantial medical tests and hospitalization. Because she had started her own business, she was unable to afford health insurance at that time. She is not only trying to recover from her illness, but she is also dealing with the high stress of a sizeable medical bill and trying to help and support her clients during their time of need. The high cost of medical debt for a service provider like our daughter has huge and wide ripple effects throughout a community.” – Carl, Iowa

Who Wins by Overturning the Medical Debt Rule?
  • Debt collectors—who will continue to profit off families struggling to recover from an illness or emergency.
  • The credit reporting industry – who will continue to profit by selling information about people’s medical debts.
  • Big banks and lenders—who want to continue denying loans or charging higher interest rates to people with medical debt.
But who loses? 
  • Parents who skip their own prescriptions to afford groceries for their kids.
  • Seniors who are forced to choose between heating their homes and paying for the care they need.
  • Everyday people who are shut out of opportunities—unable to buy a home or get a car loan—all because of a single medical bill.
  • Entrepreneurs and small business owners who are unable to start or expand a business because their personal credit scores are low due to medical debt.
This Is Bigger Than Just Medical Debt

This is Bigger Than Just Medical Debt

This attack on financial protections isn’t happening in isolation—it’s part of a larger agenda that puts corporate profits over people’s health. The same lawmakers trying to gut the CFPB are also pushing to slash Medicaid.

Think about what that means:

  • They want to cut off health care access—then punish people for having medical debt.
  • They want to let hospitals charge outrageous prices—then let debt collectors chase families for payment.
  • They want to leave people with no options—then profit off their suffering.

If we don’t act now, millions more families will be trapped in debt, denied opportunities, and forced into impossible choices.

We Have the Power to Stop This

We Have the Power to Stop This

History has shown that when we come together, we win. The CFPB’s rule wasn’t given to us—it was won through the voices and stories of everyday people who demanded change.

Now, we must do it again.

Take Action Now:

This isn’t about politics—it’s about dignity, fairness, and economic justice. It’s about ensuring families have a fair shot at financial stability instead of being buried in medical debt.

Tell Congress: Protect the CFPB and reject attempts to overturn the credit reporting rule
Sign the Petition
Will you fight with us?