Debt collectors cannot suspend a CFPB advisory opinion barring collection of certain past-due medical bills while litigation over the guidance moves forward, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Judge Dabney R. Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied a request for a preliminary injunction filed by ACA International Inc., a professional debt collection group, and debt collector Progressive Management Systems in a ruling by court.

The decision came following a telephone hearing the same day. Friedrich did not file an order explaining why she denied the request.

ACA International and the consumer…