ACA International Responds To Short-Sighted NCLC Report On Medical Debt

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ACA International, the largest trade group for the consumer debt collection industry, today responded to a report issued by the National Consumer Law Center titled "Strong Medicine Needed: What the CFPB Should Do to Protect Consumers from Unfair Collection and Reporting of Medical Debt." Following is a statement from ACA International CEO Pat Morris:

"ACA members welcome the opportunity to help patients gain greater access to available healthcare and financial assistance programs.  Our industry takes its responsibility of working with consumers very seriously; and we remain focused on improving the patient experience and reducing confusion due to inconsistent or duplicative federal, state and local financial assistance requirements.  Unfortunately, yet predictably, the NCLC's myopic report attempts to associate its concerns with only one of several stakeholders in the resolution of medical accounts – consumer debt collectors.  As such, it disingenuously calls for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to exert authority it does not have.  Instead of focusing on real solutions to real problems, the NCLC continues to be focused on vilifying the legitimate and critical debt collection industry.

ACA has proactively partnered with the Healthcare Financial Management Association along with healthcare providers, provider organizations, account resolution firms, and credit bureaus to develop best practices for resolution of medical accounts. We believe the best practices are balanced, fair, and reasonable and provide for appropriate protection for patients.  However, it is important to understand that all parties involved in the process have a shared responsibility.  As such, for these best practices to be truly effective, all parties must exercise their appropriate responsibilities, including the patient.

ACA International and its members have consistently urged Congress, and regulatory bodies such as the CFPB, to be supportive of modernizing outdated laws in a way that balances appropriate consumer protection with the ability of a creditor or debt collector to recover a rightfully owed debt. Our industry has and will continue to work with lawmakers, regulators, enforcement authorities and advocacy groups to identify reasonable and balanced solutions to marketplace issues.

After all, the collection of rightfully owed consumer debt on behalf of businesses, government and non-profit organizations is vital to maintaining healthy national, state and local economies. Based on a recent study by Ernst & Young and ACA International, third-party debt collectors recovered $55 billion in 2013 on behalf of creditor, health-care, government and other clients."

ACA International (www.acainternational.org) is the comprehensive, knowledge-based resource for the credit and collection industry. Founded in 1939, ACA brings together more than 230,000 professionals representing third-party collection agencies, asset buyers, attorneys, creditors and vendor affiliates. ACA supports members through state and federal advocacy, training and resources.   

Contact: Alex Szeto
Tel. (952) 259-2108 or [email protected]

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SOURCE ACA International