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Bill: Hospitals can't use patient's medical debt to decide care
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The Legislature has approved a bill aimed at prohibiting a hospital from using information about a patient's medical debt to decide whether to treat the patient. The governor is expected to sign it.
"It hasn't been a problem here yet, but we do know that some companies were working on gathering that information to sell to health care providers," said Sen. Linda Scheid, DFL-Brooklyn Center, chief Senate sponsor.
Under the bill, a health care provider can't share or obtain medical debt information about a patient seeking care until after the care is delivered. Impetus for the bill came from Attorney General Lori Swanson, who sought to ensure health care decisions are not based on a patient's medical debt.
WARREN WOLFE
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Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
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