FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Janel Knight Trulear
janel@emccommunications.com
(617) 875-6581

STATEMENT: Small Business Advocacy Group Applauds NC Senate for Passing S321, Urges House to Act Swiftly on Medical Debt Legislation

Statement by Small Business for America’s Future North Carolina Director Jim Duffett in response to the North Carolina Senate unanimously passing S321 to help address healthcare costs and medical debt

Raleigh, NC, May 3, 2023—We are encouraged by the North Carolina Senate unanimously passing S321, the Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act. This legislation sets parameters around the provision of charity care and limits the ability of large medical facilities to charge unreasonable interest rates and employ unfair tactics in debt collection. We urge the North Carolina House to follow suit and pass S321 without delay.

Recent studies have shown that medical debt is a significant issue for many North Carolinians, with one in five being contacted by a debt collector over an unpaid medical bill. By passing S321, the North Carolina General Assembly can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families and small business owners who are facing financial challenges due to medical debt.

I encourage the North Carolina House to recognize the importance of addressing these pressing concerns for small business owners, some of whom have shared their stories in public forums about the issue. Implementing S321 will not only alleviate the burden of high healthcare costs on small businesses and their employees, but it will also protect families from the devastating impact of medical debt, ensuring a lifesaving procedure doesn't cost their life savings.

We support this measure and eagerly anticipate the positive impact it will have on small businesses, local communities, and the North Carolina economy as a whole.

To request an interview with Jim Duffett,  Small Business for America’s Future North Carolina Director, or a North Carolina small business owner impacted by medical debt, contact Janel Knight Trulear at (617) 875-6581 or janel@emccommunications.com.  

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF.