Maryland Breaks Ground With New Hospital Debt-Collection Measure

Maryland is poised to become the first state to require hospitals to report publicly on debt-collection lawsuits they file against their patients and to curtail wage garnishments for some who don’t pay their medical bills.

The Maryland legislature sent a bill Thursday to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) that consumer advocates say will push hospitals to offer free or reduced-cost care to more people who qualify. The legislation is a good first step, but more could’ve been done, backers say.

“This is going to be a big step toward highlighting who hospitals chose to sue and why we can do more,” ...