March 28, 2024

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern

Consumer Protection: Taking Action Against Medical Debt

Medical debt impacts over 100 million Americans. It affects people’s ability to access affordable credit, find quality housing, or even obtain a job. This session will examine how the CFPB has combated the burden of medical debt and how local consumer protection agencies can join the fight.

Speaker: James “Jim” Savage & John McNamara

Jim Savage is a Senior Counsel for Enforcement Policy and Strategy in the Office of Enforcement at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In that role, he assists the CFPB with strategic planning and advises case teams on debt collection, debt relief, and mortgage servicing. Prior to joining the CFPB, Jim served as the Assistant Attorney General in Charge of Consumer Protection for the New Jersey Attorney General

John McNamara is the Principal Assistant Director of Markets and the Assistant Director for Consumer Credit, Payments, and Deposits Markets in the Research, Markets and Regulations division of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He leads a team of subject matter experts and analysts covering the credit card, payments, deposits, student, auto, small dollar, marketplace, and installment lending markets, as well as credit reporting, debt collection, debt relief, fintech and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in consumer financial services. He also manages budgeting, staffing, and administration of the Bureau’s Markets Office. Prior to joining the CFPB, John was Chief Marketing Officer for LiveVox, a leading provider of cloud contact center solutions and director/co-founder of Fidelis Recovery Solutions, Inc., a debt collector. He has over 30 years of experience in the accounts receivable management (ARM) and call/contact center industries, in addition to all phases of collections, recovery and call center operations with deep focus on technology, process improvement, compliance management systems and nine years of experience as a federal consumer financial protection regulator. McNamara also served as COO for Asset Management Outsourcing, Inc., SVP of Banking and Retail Operations for First Data Corporation’s ARM unit, Nationwide Credit/ACB, and VP of Operations for United Recovery Systems, LP. John is a frequent speaker/panelist/consultant and author, addressing key issues and trends in the financial services industry. In 2012, John chaired both the National Collections and Credit Risk conference and the Financial Services Collections and Credit Risk symposium. In 2011 John was named an ACA International Scholar and Fellow. He also is the 2009 winner of the ACA Kurt Swersky award for leadership. In 2007, John was appointed Vice President and Board Member of the Georgia Collectors Association. John was named to Collection Advisor magazine's list of the Top 50 Most Influential Collection Professionals for 2006 and 2019. John has served as Chairman of the ACA Affiliate Committee, and member of the Debt Buyers Association Education Committee. John also served on both the Technology and Compliance Committees for TRMA. John is a summa cum laude graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. In 2014, John received his MBA from Kennesaw State University, where he was named a University Scholar.