Indiana adopted bipartisan medical-debt measures in 2026 requiring hospitals to inform patients about financial-assistance programs and connecting some collection rights to compliance with healthcare price-transparency rules. The debate is whether stronger notice, affordability screening, interest limits, collection restrictions, or hospital-cost controls best protect patients without destabilizing providers that deliver uncompensated care. Financial assistance is reduced-cost or free care that qualifying patients may receive under a hospital’s charity-care policy. A family should not be sent to collections before anyone checks whether the bill is correct, insurance was applied, or the patient qualifies for help the hospital already offers.