LISTEN: New federal guidelines could weaken consumer protections against medical debt

by Noam N. Levi

November 14, 2025

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<br /> <span class="byline">Noam N. Levi</span></p> <p>Listen: Bad credit can prevent you from getting a job, a car loan, or a rental apartment. For many Americans, health care debt is the culprit. KFF Health News senior correspondent Noam N. Levy, on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on Nov. 12 to explain why new federal guidelines on health care debt and credit reports have some consumer advocates concerned.</p> <p>It is estimated that more than 100 million Americans have health care debt. In response, more than a dozen states have put laws in place to keep these unpaid bills off consumer credit reports.</p> <p>It was the Trump administration <a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/medical-debt-trump-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-reverses-credit-protections/" rel="nofollow noopener">Chipping away at this protection</a>.</p> <p>The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, headed by President Donald Trump’s budget director, issued new guidance challenging state laws, saying only the federal government can determine what can be entered on a credit report. Consumer advocates say the move could undermine state-level protections and exacerbate financial pressures on Americans burdened by medical bills.</p> <p>KFF Health News Senior Correspondent Noam N. appeared. Levy, on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on Nov. 12 to explain why state laws like these could be especially important in the wake of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is set to kick millions out of Medicaid, and the potential lapse of enhanced tax credits for people who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces.</p> <p>
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