Rep. Dusty Johnson introduces IHS reform bill

One of the most stressful things a person can deal with is maintaining their credit when handling a debt collections agency, but what if it you were receiving bad marks on your credit for bills you’re no longer responsible for?

That’s exactly what Representative Dusty Johnson is trying to address with a recent bill to reform Indian Health Services.

At the start of the month, Johnson introduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act to prevent bad credit marks for already paid bills. Johnson says this can happen because the IHS is often slow to cover patient bills and while waiting for them to be paid, enrolled members have seen their credit dive.

“The enrolled folks, they get turned over to a credit reporting agency their credit gets destroyed because IHS won’t pay their gosh darn bill, it doesn’t make any sense. My bill just makes it clear we are not going to punish everyday Americans for the incompetency of the Indian Health Services,” said Johnson.

Additionally, the bill would provide a process for members who paid out of pocket for medical expenses to be reimbursed.