State lawmakers seek restraints on wage garnishment for medical debt

By: Rae Ellen Bichell, KFF Health News

Outlets: Colorado Newsline

Published: February 24, 2026

Words: 1,532

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

This story was originally published by KFF Health News.

Lawmakers in at least eight states this year are aiming to reel in wage garnishment for unpaid medical bills.

The legislation introduced in Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington builds on efforts made in other states in past years. This latest push for patient protections comes as the Trump administration has backed …

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