A Colorado bill blocking hospitals from pursuing debt collections if they don't post their prices online is heading to Gov. Jared Polis' desk, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported May 3.
If enacted, hospitals not following federal price transparency laws would be banned from using debt collectors, filing negative credit reports against patients and obtaining state court judgments for outstanding debts, according to the report.
Noncompliant hospitals could still bill patients, but if they pursue collections, they would have to refund any debt paid by the patient and all legal fees, according to the report.
Colorado's Senate passed the bill May 3 after House lawmakers did the same in April, according to the report.