Medical Debt Crisis Looming
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Happy Tuesday Healthcare Advocates
I appreciate all of you advocating for healthcare reform. When we raise our voices we will be heard. Please send any topics on which you’d like more data either in the newsletter of privately. You can use the comment button at the bottom of the newsletter. I will take a few days off and return next Monday.
Women’s Health Protection Act
The Women‘s Health Protection Act has been reintroduced in the Senate by Senator Patty Murray of Washington in March of this year. We have written about it previously but it is important that we keep it on the front burner. It establishes a woman’s right to choose and prohibits governments from interfering. Here is the text and here is Senator Murray’s speech in the senate. It is quite moving.
ACTION
Let’s let our congressional representatives and senators know that it is time to restore women’s rights in this country by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act. Here is a link to their contact information.
Or use Resistbot to send the message below to them. On your cell phone text to 50409 SIGN PXQMCV.
“I am your constituent and I am so glad that the Women’s Health Protection Act has been reintroduced into the Senate. It is time to restore a woman’s right to choose nationally and stop individual states from subjugating women and relegating them to second class status. Cosponsor it and pass it.”
Medical Debt
You already know that tens of millions of American’s are in medical debt. Now a new demon comes to the surface. Financing the debt at the doctor’s office or hospital. Medical facilities are entering into contracts with finance companies and signing up patients on admittance. Here is link to some of the contracts agreed to by the public hospital run by the University of North Carolina (bottom of the article). Since it reeks of predatory lending, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and HHS are investigating and seeking public comment. Here is a link to the investigation.
In particular, the government wants to know “whether these products may contribute to health care cost inflation, displace hospitals’ provision of financial assistance, lead patients to pay inaccurate or inflated medical bills, increase the amount patients must pay due to financing costs, or otherwise harm patients’ mental, physical, and financial well-being, including through downstream credit reporting and debt collection practices. In line with the agencies’ work to lower health care costs and reduce the burden of medical debt, the agencies also seek comment on policy options to protect consumers from harm”. This is from the government’s request for comments
Many doctors or hospitals used to just create a payment plan for patients or allow them access to charitable assistance. It seems to me that this will push more people into bankruptcy faster. This is another effect of our country choosing to not implement Universal Healthcare.
EXTRA CREDIT
Comment to HHS and CFPB regarding finance companies in place in doctor’s offices and hospitals. We have until September 11, 2023. The comment form is at this link. Just click on the submit a formal comment button. Make sure to select docket item CFPB-2023-0038 for your comment.
Here’s my comment:
“If there were universal healthcare in the US we would not be having a discussion on financing health care debt at the point of service. Most bankruptcies in the US are related to medical debt. This predatory activity of pushing patients into finance contracts will only make matters worse for patients and their families and increase the number of bankruptcies. Hospitals used to set up payment plans when needed, often at no interest, because they had the appearance of operating for the public good.
I strongly disapprove of this interest bearing financing of medical bills.”
Well Done - You’re making it another good day for healthcare reform!!
Find My Elected Officials
Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact State and Federal Representatives
https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/addr/
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare
Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Plan
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Insurance Commissioner in your state- This website can get you their phone number.
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water Resistbot write up