hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Stops a government agency from withdrawing rules on medical debt and credit reports.
Representative Tlaib (D-MI)
Introduced in the House, currently in committee.
This bill uses a special process (Congressional Review Act) to block a decision by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP). The BCFP had moved to withdraw its "Bulletin 2022-01," which guided how medical debts are collected and reported to credit agencies, aiming to protect consumers. If this bill passes, the BCFP's withdrawal would be stopped, potentially keeping those consumer protections in place. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, sponsored this joint resolution. It is currently being reviewed by a House committee.
Introduced Apr 30, 2026
H.J. Res. 168 was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 30, 2026, and then sent to the Committee on Financial Services for review. For this bill to become law, it would need to pass in the House committee, then be voted on and pass the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection's (BCFP) "Bulletin 2022-01" would likely remain in effect. This bulletin advises medical debt collectors and consumer reporting agencies on specific requirements, helping to limit the negative effects of medical debt on consumer credit reports. This could mean your credit score is less likely to be harmed by unpaid medical bills, and debt collection practices related to medical debt would continue under tighter rules.
Supporters Say
Supporters aim to protect consumers from financial hardship caused by medical debt and its impact on credit.
Critics Say
Critics might argue the original rules were overly burdensome or that the agency's withdrawal was a sensible deregulatory action.
Supporters of H.J. Res. 168 would likely argue that maintaining Bulletin 2022-01 is crucial for consumer protection, preventing medical debt from unfairly damaging credit scores and making debt collection practices more fair. Critics, or those who supported the BCFP's withdrawal, might argue that the original bulletin placed undue regulatory burdens on medical providers or collection agencies, or that the market effectively addresses these issues without such specific guidance.