Legis Daily

Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4972| Senate 
| Updated: 7/14/2026
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (5)
Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes amendments to title 11 of the United States Code, aiming to establish specific bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing financial distress due to medical reasons. It introduces new definitions for "medical debt," encompassing costs related to diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of illness, and for a "medically distressed debtor." A debtor qualifies as medically distressed if they incurred or paid substantial out-of-pocket medical debt (exceeding 10 percent of adjusted gross income or $10,000), lost domestic support due to a medical issue, or experienced an employment status change resulting in reduced income due to their own illness, caring for a family member, or a public health crisis. The legislation offers several key protections for these debtors, including the option to claim a significantly increased homestead exemption of up to $250,000. Medically distressed debtors are also exempted from the means test in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases and certain disposable income requirements for Chapter 13 plan confirmation. Additionally, the bill waives the mandatory credit counseling requirement, facilitates the discharge of student loan debt under an undue hardship standard, and crucially, prevents information related to these bankruptcies from appearing on consumer credit reports . Debtors seeking these protections must file a statement attesting that their medical expenses were not incurred solely to qualify for this status.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4305
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5399
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-146
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2021
Jul 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9670
Introduced in House
Jul 14, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 14, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4305
    Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5399
    Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-146
    Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2021


  • July 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9670
    Introduced in House


  • July 14, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 14, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Finance and Financial Sector

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9670: Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026

Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4972| Senate 
| Updated: 7/14/2026
This bill proposes amendments to title 11 of the United States Code, aiming to establish specific bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing financial distress due to medical reasons. It introduces new definitions for "medical debt," encompassing costs related to diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of illness, and for a "medically distressed debtor." A debtor qualifies as medically distressed if they incurred or paid substantial out-of-pocket medical debt (exceeding 10 percent of adjusted gross income or $10,000), lost domestic support due to a medical issue, or experienced an employment status change resulting in reduced income due to their own illness, caring for a family member, or a public health crisis. The legislation offers several key protections for these debtors, including the option to claim a significantly increased homestead exemption of up to $250,000. Medically distressed debtors are also exempted from the means test in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases and certain disposable income requirements for Chapter 13 plan confirmation. Additionally, the bill waives the mandatory credit counseling requirement, facilitates the discharge of student loan debt under an undue hardship standard, and crucially, prevents information related to these bankruptcies from appearing on consumer credit reports . Debtors seeking these protections must file a statement attesting that their medical expenses were not incurred solely to qualify for this status.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4305
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5399
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2024

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-146
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2021
Jul 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9670
Introduced in House
Jul 14, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 14, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4305
    Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5399
    Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2024


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-146
    Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2021


  • July 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9670
    Introduced in House


  • July 14, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 14, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (5)
Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Finance and Financial Sector

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9670: Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted