HB5645 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 20585 CPF 70211 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB5645

Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

210 ILCS 88/35

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a hospital or a hospital's agent may not aggressively pursue debt collection for non-payment of a hospital bill against a patient with an annual household income of $51,000 or less by garnishing wages, seizing moneys from tax returns, or pursuing an action that may result in foreclosure on the patient's home.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Fair Patient Billing Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(210 ILCS 88/35)

Sec. 35. Collection limitations.

(a) The hospital shall not pursue legal action for non-payment of a hospital bill against uninsured patients who have clearly demonstrated that they have neither sufficient income nor assets to meet their financial obligations provided the patient has complied with Section 45 of this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a hospital or a hospital's agent may not aggressively pursue debt collection for non-payment of a hospital bill against a patient with an annual household income of $51,000 or less by:

(1) garnishing wages;

(2) seizing moneys from tax returns; or

(3) pursuing an action that may result in foreclosure on the patient's home.

(Source: P.A. 94-885, eff. 1-1-07.)