Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3403)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 12, 2018

Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the discharge of medical indebtedness. The bill applies to the discharge of debt incurred by the taxpayer for expenses of the taxpayer or the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer for: (1) diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease; (2) the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body; (3) transportation primarily for and essential to medical care, or (4) long-term care services.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3] · R–TX

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 18, 2018
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3403)
Apr 12, 2018
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 12, 2018
Introduced in House
Apr 12, 2018
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 12, 2018 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5493 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.5493, 115th Congress: Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5493

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2018-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr5493/BILLS-115hr5493ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:35:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.5493 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5493 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.5493, 115th Congress: Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5493

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2018-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr5493/BILLS-115hr5493ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:35:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5493 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5493 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5493, 115th Congress: Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5493

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2018-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr5493/BILLS-115hr5493ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:35:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5493 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5493 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5493, 115th Congress: Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5493

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2018-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr5493/BILLS-115hr5493ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:35:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5493 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.