A bill has been introduced in the Nebraska State Legislature that would prohibit collection agencies from attempting to contact individuals who have unpaid medical debts if they have a case pending before the state’s Workers’ Compensation Committee.
The bill, introduced on Friday by state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, has eight co-sponsors and would amend the state’s workers’ compensation code, according to a published report.
The bill is fairly straightforward. It states: No collection agency shall attempt to collect a debt if a case is pending in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court and the debt is alleged to be subject to section 48-120. Section 48-120 lays out a series of medical procedures covered under the state’s workers’ compensation laws.
The bill has not yet been referred to a committee for consideration.
In an interesting sidenote, Sen. Cavanaugh, who was elected last November, yesterday became the first state Senator to nurse while on the chamber floor.
