The CFPB finalized a rule intended to remove medical bills from credit reports, arguing that medical debt is often a poor signal of whether someone will repay other loans. A federal court later vacated that rule, meaning the national policy dispute remains unresolved. The issue sits between health care and lending: medical bills can come from emergencies and insurance disputes, but lenders also want accurate information about unpaid debts. A hospital bill after an emergency is not the same as running up a shopping card. Credit reports should not punish people for being sick or confused by insurance paperwork.