What Just Happened—and Why It Matters
In July 2025, a federal court in Texas vacated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) rule that limited how medical debts could be reported on credit reports. For Florida consumers, this decision could have serious consequences—especially for those who have fought hard to repair their credit after medical hardship.
The CFPB’s rule was designed to protect consumers from being penalized for medical debts that were often inaccurate, inflated, or the result of billing disputes. It would have restricted credit bureaus from including medical debt collections in reports unless the debt was fully verified and past due for over a year. With the rule now struck down, credit bureaus may once again include medical debts—valid or not—on millions of Americans’ reports.
Why Medical Debt Reporting Is So Problematic
Unlike other forms of debt, medical bills are often confusing and riddled with errors. Insurance disputes, provider miscommunications, and duplicate billing can cause debts to appear even when no money is actually owed. When those debts end up on your credit report, they can dramatically reduce your score and make it harder to get approved for housing, credit cards, or even jobs.
In Florida, where healthcare costs are rising and many families live paycheck to paycheck, these reporting errors can trap consumers in a cycle of financial instability. Even small medical collections can drop a credit score by 100 points or more—enough to derail mortgage approvals or raise insurance premiums.
How This Decision Impacts Floridians
With the Texas ruling, the safeguards provided by the CFPB are now uncertain. Credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are no longer restricted from reporting medical debts as aggressively as before. That means consumers could soon see old or disputed medical collections reappear on their reports.
While the CFPB may appeal the ruling, for now, the responsibility shifts back to consumers to monitor and dispute inaccurate medical entries. This makes it more important than ever to review your credit report regularly and act quickly if errors appear.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can get free reports from all three major bureaus every week.
- Dispute inaccurate entries directly with the credit bureaus and your medical provider. Keep all documentation of insurance payments and correspondence.
- Contact a consumer protection attorney if the credit bureaus or collectors refuse to remove false or outdated medical debts. You have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to demand accuracy.
At Rebbecca Goodall Law, P.A., we’ve seen how unfair credit reporting can devastate a person’s financial stability. We take action against credit bureaus and collectors who violate the FCRA, helping clients correct their reports and restore their financial reputation.
Medical Debt and Your Legal Rights
Even without the CFPB’s rule, federal and state laws still provide protections. The FCRA requires credit reporting agencies to ensure that information on your report is accurate and verifiable. If they fail to correct false or incomplete entries after you dispute them, you may be entitled to damages.
Additionally, under Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA), medical debt collectors cannot harass you, misrepresent amounts owed, or threaten legal action they can’t take. These protections still stand—and they can be powerful tools when enforced by an experienced attorney.
How Rebbecca Goodall Law Can Help
We help clients across Elfers, New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, and Pasco County fight back against inaccurate or unfair credit reporting. Our firm regularly assists with:
- Disputing false medical collections under the FCRA
- Suing credit bureaus that fail to correct verified inaccuracies
- Holding debt collectors accountable under the FDCPA and FCCPA
- Repairing long-term credit damage caused by unlawful reporting
We’ve helped clients remove debts that weren’t theirs, correct identity-theft-related errors, and stop harassment tied to disputed medical accounts—and we can do the same for you.
Staying Informed, Staying Protected
The legal landscape around credit reporting continues to evolve, but your rights remain. Whether the CFPB rule is reinstated or not, you deserve a credit report that tells the truth. Don’t let billing errors or corporate negligence define your financial future.
If you suspect your medical debts are being reported unfairly, call (813) 438-3695 or visit our Credit Reporting Issues page to learn how we can help protect your financial health.
Rebbecca Goodall Law, P.A. — Standing up for Florida consumers, one report at a time.
