This final report in the Discharged Into Debt series investigates the practice of nonprofit hospitals garnishing patients’ wages after suing them for medical debt. A random sample of 1,611 wage garnishment cases from 5 New York hospitals indicates that the indebted patients work in low-wage occupations such as health care and social services, manufacturing, and retail.

A bill recently passed in the New York State legislature (S6522A/A7363A) would ban hospitals from garnishing patients’ wages or imposing liens on their primary residence. This bill awaits Governor Hochul’s signature, and we urge her to sign it immediately.

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• Wage_Garnishment_Report_V6