Opinion: How Trump’s medical debt policy hurts people like me

With a rule to remove medical debt from credit reports on hold, this Michigan veteran is calling on Trump to act.

I’m an Army veteran who willingly and proudly enlisted to serve my country. I did it because I felt a deep sense of duty to protect the freedoms we all hold dear and to be part of something bigger than myself. I’ve traveled the world to serve others, and did so honorably for 5 years on active duty, facing challenges and sacrifices along the way. Now, I’m a single father, raising an eight-year-old daughter here in Pontiac, Michigan, doing my best to provide for her and give her a stable, loving home.

In 2022, I went to the hospital with severe chest pains. I knew something wasn’t right, but what I didn’t expect was the lasting impact that my doctor’s visits and a diagnosis of high cholesterol would have on my finances. Despite having health insurance, I now find myself $12,000 in medical debt due to doctor’s visits, tests, and medication.

The economy is tough for most people right now, and things are especially hard when it comes to basic necessities like groceries. I have to make sure that my daughter and I eat healthy, given my diagnosis. Between inflation, mandatory expenses like internet bills, and having to replace my car last year, it feels like everything is just getting more expensive. I’m doing my best to save wherever I can—shopping around for better car insurance, looking into veterans’ benefits—anything to help us get by.

But that $12,000 medical debt is always hanging over my head. I’ve started getting regular calls from debt collectors, and they’ve told me they won’t accept ongoing payments. Instead, they want the money up front, but that’s simply not realistic for most people.

The Biden Administration introduced a rule to remove medical debt from credit reports. Since President Donald Trump took office, however, he’s frozen nearly every one of the prior administration’s policies—including the one on medical debt.

Once my debt hits my credit report, which could be any day now, it’ll have a huge impact on my ability to get by. I’m trying to buy a house, but a sharp drop in my credit score will make getting a loan more difficult if not impossible. Putting medical debt on a credit report doesn’t make sense. People get sick. They need care. That shouldn’t ruin their financial future.

I know Trump wants to undo Democratic policies, but this one is just common sense to keep. Medical debt shouldn’t be on credit reports. Helping working people, like myself, improve their lives shouldn’t be a political issue. Supporting veterans who have health issues shouldn’t be political either. I’m hoping Trump can set aside partisanship and do what’s best for the American people.

Related: Michiganders say Trump’s cuts to food assistance could leave their families hungry