Council Health

The Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2025 targets medical debt affecting nearly 90,000 District residents (20% of all residents) by requiring healthcare facilities to strengthen financial assistance policies with uniform income eligibility and clear cost estimates before treatment. It prohibits reporting medical debt to credit bureaus, bans wage garnishments and home liens for such debt, and mandates payment plans for low-income patients. The bill also restricts medical lending promotions and caps out-of-pocket costs relative to insurance rates. Enforcement will be handled by DC Health and the Office of the Attorney General to ensure compliance with these debt mitigation measures.

The Uniform Mortgage Modification Act of 2025 (B 26-0448) creates legal "safe harbors" for mortgage modifications, protecting both residential homeowners and commercial businesses from foreclosure by clarifying that specific changes to mortgages - like adjusted payments - do not affect the mortgage's priority or require recording. It explicitly states that modifications within these safe harbors (e.g., adjusting interest rates or terms) will not be treated as novations, ensuring the mortgage continues to secure the obligation as modified. The bill excludes modifications that materially prejudice junior lienholders and aims to reduce legal uncertainty, saving borrowers time and money. This proposed law aligns with a uniform model already adopted in Utah and Nevada, though it remains a pending District of Columbia bill.

This bill amends existing D.C. law to protect healthcare providers and their employers from civil lawsuits related to injuries caused by administering vaccines that are legally required or recommended by public health authorities. The protection covers licensed professionals who prescribe, dispense, or administer vaccines following official guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the D.C. Department of Health, but it does not shield providers who act with willful misconduct or gross negligence. The legislation applies to vaccines and immunizing agents authorized by District law or recommended by recognized medical and public health organizations designated by the Department of Health. This change aims to ensure healthcare providers can continue offering vaccines without fear of liability for adverse reactions, while maintaining accountability for intentional or severely negligent actions.

The Student Health Care Amendment Act of 2026 updates health requirements for students in public, charter, private, and independent schools in the District of Columbia. It mandates that parents and guardians annually submit standardized forms for physical and oral health, which must include blood lead level testing for specific age groups. The bill also transfers responsibility for managing student access to emergency epinephrine from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to the Department of Health and designates the Maryland Poison Center as the District's official poison control center. Additionally, the legislation dissolves the existing Perinatal and Infant Health Advisory Committee to align with new organizational structures. These changes aim to streamline health documentation and clarify administrative roles within the school health program.

This bill (B 26-0226) makes permanent a District of Columbia pilot program that provides targeted support for people with substance use disorders (SUD) in high-need neighborhoods. It requires the Department of Behavioral Health to establish a program offering direct support (like crisis assessments), relationship development through consistent outreach, and resource brokering to connect individuals with housing, healthcare, and other services. The program designates specific geographic areas for focused intervention based on criteria like overdose rates, public substance use, and high pedestrian activity. Performance data on outcomes - including connections to treatment and overdose reversals - must be publicly reported every 90 days.