{"id":1620731,"date":"2023-02-21T19:05:20","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T00:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/khn.org\/?page_id=1620731"},"modified":"2026-01-08T13:11:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T18:11:26","slug":"diagnosis-debt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/diagnosis-debt\/","title":{"rendered":"Diagnosis: Debt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Diagnosis: Debt<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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More than 100 million people in America \u2014 a startling 41% of adults \u2014 are saddled with medical bills they cannot pay, according to a KFF Health News investigation with NPR and CBS News. The project exposed that medical debt \u2014 rather than fighting disease \u2014 is now a defining feature of the nation\u2019s health care system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t100 Million People in America Are Saddled With Health Care Debt\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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June 16, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

The U.S. health system now produces debt on a mass scale, a new investigation shows. Patients face gut-wrenching sacrifices.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn America, Cancer Patients Endure Debt on Top of Disease\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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July 9, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

Medical breakthroughs mean cancer is less likely to kill, but survival can come at an extraordinary cost as patients drain savings, declare bankruptcy, or lose their homes, a KHN-NPR investigation finds.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNursing Homes Are Suing the Friends and Family of Residents to Collect Debts\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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July 28, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

Debt lawsuits \u2014 long a byproduct of America\u2019s medical debt crisis \u2014 can ensnare not only patients but also those who help sick and older people be admitted to nursing homes, a KHN-NPR investigation finds.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFew Places Have More Medical Debt Than Dallas-Fort Worth, but Hospitals There Are Thriving\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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September 28, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

Some hospitals notch big profits while patients are pushed into debt by skyrocketing medical prices and high deductibles, a KHN analysis finds.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKnoxville\u2019s Black Community Endured Deeply Rooted Racism. Now There Is Medical Debt.\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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October 28, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

Despite the end of Jim Crow segregation, its legacy lives on in medical debt that disproportionately burdens Black communities.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Banks and Private Equity Cash In When Patients Can\u2019t Pay Their Medical Bills\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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November 17, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

Hospitals strike deals with financing companies, generating profits for lenders, and more debt for patients.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Germany\u2019s Coal Miners Can Teach America About Medical Debt\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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December 14, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

Coal mining ended in Germany\u2019s Saarland a decade ago, but the transition away from coal has been smoother than in West Virginia, which has more medical debt than any state in America.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHundreds of Hospitals Sue Patients or Threaten Their Credit, a KFF Health News Investigation Finds. Does Yours?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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December 21, 2022<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

An examination of billing policies and practices at more than 500 hospitals across the country shows widespread reliance on aggressive collection tactics.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA Father Dreamed of a Home for His Family. Medical Debt Nearly Pushed Them Onto the Streets.\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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September 11, 2023<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t

As cities like Denver struggle to make homes more affordable, medical debt keeps housing out of reach for millions of Americans.<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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Debt At A Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tell Us About Your Medical Debt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you been forced into debt because of a medical or dental bill? Have you had to make any changes in your life because of such debt? Have you been pursued by debt collectors for a medical bill? We want to hear about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Share Your Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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KFF Health News\u2019 yearlong investigation exposed a staggering failure of U.S. health care: It systematically pushes patients into debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Diagnosis: Debt”<\/strong> revealed the scope and severity of this crisis as no one has before: A quarter of those with debt owe more than $5,000. And nearly as many with any amount of debt don\u2019t expect to pay it off in their lifetimes. Black Americans are 50% as likely as whites to owe money for medical care. And 20% of U.S. hospitals will deny nonemergency care to patients with an outstanding bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investigation unmasked the opaque world of medical billing and collections and a vast new industry that preys on patients. And it garnered prompt attention and action in Washington and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In intimate, multimedia stories, “Diagnosis: Debt”<\/strong> documented the suffering and sacrifices this burden forces on patients and their families. KFF Health News and our partners at NPR and CBS News profiled people driven from their homes, new parents who took on extra work, and retirees pushed to bankruptcy because of debt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Upended: How Medical Debt Changed Their Lives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Some lost their homes. Some emptied their retirement accounts. Some struggled to feed and clothe their families. Medical debt now touches more than 100 million people in America, as the U.S. health care system pushes patients into debt on a mass scale. Debtors are from all walks of life and all corners of the country. Here are their stories \u2015 how they got into debt, what they\u2019ve given up for it, and how they\u2019re living with the burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More Stories from the Project<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTrump Team Takes Aim at State Laws Shielding Consumers’ Credit Scores From Medical Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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October 28, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Reversing guidance from the Biden administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau concludes that states cannot bar medical debt from their residents\u2019 credit reports.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWorkers\u2019 Wages Siphoned To Pay Medical Bills, Despite Consumer Protections\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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October 2, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Health care providers and debt collectors are biting from people\u2019s paychecks to cover old medical bills. A KFF Health News investigation in Colorado shows that this aggressive collection practice is widespread even in a state considered to have strong consumer protections.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs Trump Punts on Medical Debt, Battle Over Patient Protections Moves to States\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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September 25, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Some states are enacting medical debt laws as the Trump administration pulls back federal protections. Elsewhere, industry opposition has derailed legislation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTrump Voters Wanted Relief From Medical Bills. For Millions, the Bills Are About To Get Bigger.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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July 25, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Moves by the Trump administration to pare back Medicaid, rescind medical debt rules, and loosen vaccine requirements threaten to increase medical bills for millions of Americans.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlockbuster Deal Will Wipe Out $30 Billion in Medical Debt. Even Backers Say It\u2019s Not Enough.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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April 7, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Undue Medical Debt is retiring unpaid medical bills for 20 million people. The debt trading company that owned them is leaving the market.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiden Administration Bars Medical Debt From Credit Scores\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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January 7, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The move, which comes less than two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office, represents a challenge to the new administration.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWith Trump on the Way, Advocates Look to States To Pick Up Medical Debt Fight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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December 3, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Patient and consumer advocates fear a new Trump administration will scale back federal efforts to expand financial protections for patients and shield them from debt.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHarris Backs Slashing Medical Debt. Trump\u2019s \u2018Concepts\u2019 Worry Advocates.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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October 16, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Biden administration has taken significant steps to address a problem that burdens 100 million people in America, but gains would be jeopardized by a Trump win, advocates say.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEven Political Rivals Agree That Medical Debt Is an Urgent Issue\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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October 7, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In red and blue states, state lawmakers from both parties are expanding protections for patients burdened by medical debt.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia Governor Signs Law Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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September 24, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

New California legislation will bar unpaid medical bills from showing up on consumer credit reports starting in January. However, the banking industry muscled in eleventh-hour amendments that weakened the protections for patients, the bill\u2019s lead sponsor says.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAcross North Carolina, Medical Debt Exacts a Heavy Toll\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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September 23, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The state has among the highest levels of medical debt in the country, data shows.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow North Carolina Made Its Hospitals Do Something About Medical Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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September 23, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

State officials threatened to withhold public money from hospitals, pioneering a strategy that could become a national model.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"An\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThese Alabama Workers Were Swamped by Medical Debt. Then Their Employer Stepped In.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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September 19, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A decades-old manufacturing company opened a clinic and made primary care and prescriptions free for employees and their families.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiden Administration Advances Plan To Remove Medical Debt From Credit Scores\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 11, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed federal regulations that would prevent unpaid medical bills from being counted on consumers\u2019 credit reports.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy One New York Health System Stopped Suing Its Patients\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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May 15, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Most U.S. hospitals aggressively pursue patients for unpaid bills. One New York hospital system decided to work with them instead.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTheir First Baby Came With Medical Debt. These Illinois Parents Won\u2019t Have Another.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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May 10, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedical Debt Affects Much of America, but Colorado Immigrants Are Hit Especially Hard\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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April 3, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Colorado is ahead of the curve on policies to prevent medical debt, but the gap between the debt load in places inhabited primarily by people of color versus non-Hispanic white residents is greater than the national average.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWith Medical Debt Burdening Millions, a Financial Regulator Steps In to Help\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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March 1, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created after the Great Recession of 2007-09, has increasingly started policing the health care system.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew York Joins Local Governments in Erasing Billions in Medical Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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January 25, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

New York City is the latest jurisdiction to buy and forgive a backlog of unpaid medical bills for its residents. Local governments across the country, including in the Chicago area, are doing the same to reduce debt burdens for lower-income residents. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn This Oklahoma Town, Most Everyone Knows Someone Who\u2019s Been Sued by the Hospital\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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January 19, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Hospitals nationwide face growing scrutiny over how they secure payment from patients, but at one community hospital, the debt collection machine has been quietly humming along for decades.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tListen: What Our 2-Year-Long Investigation Into Medical Debt Reveals\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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December 12, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

An award-winning project by KFF Health News and NPR found that at least 100 million people in the United States are saddled with medical bills they cannot pay \u2014 and exposed a health care system that systematically pushes people into debt.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch: She Had a Home and a Good-Paying Job. Then Illness and Debt Upended It All.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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December 11, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A chronic health diagnosis and medical debt reordered Sharon Woodward’s life.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedical Debt Is Disappearing From Americans\u2019 Credit Reports, Lifting Scores\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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November 2, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

As credit rating agencies have removed small unpaid medical bills from consumer credit, scores have gone up, a new study finds.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiden Administration to Ban Medical Debt From Americans\u2019 Credit Scores\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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September 21, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The White House said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will develop new regulations that would prevent unpaid medical bills from being counted on credit reports.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNorth Carolina Hospitals Have Sued Thousands of Their Patients, a New Report Finds\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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August 16, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

An analysis of court records by the state treasurer and Duke researchers finds Atrium Health, originally a public hospital system, accounted for almost a third of the legal actions against North Carolina patients over roughly five years.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat One Lending Company\u2019s Hospital Contracts Reveal About Financing Patient Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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August 8, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Within two years of North Carolina\u2019s public university system going into business with AccessOne to finance patients\u2019 payment plans, nearly half of its patients were in loans that charged interest. As federal scrutiny increases on lenders, KFF Health News is sharing that contract and others obtained through public records requests.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedical Debt Is Making Americans Angry. Doctors and Hospitals Ignore This at Their Peril.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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July 21, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Doctors and hospitals hold an exalted position in American life, retaining public confidence even as other institutions such as government, law enforcement, and the media are losing people\u2019s trust. But with health care debt out of hand, medical providers risk their good standing.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018We\u2019re Not Doing That\u2019: Why a Black Couple Wouldn\u2019t Crowdfund to Pay Off Medical Debts\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 26, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Kristie Fields, a cancer patient in Virginia, was urged to go public to seek financial help. She worried about feeding hurtful stereotypes.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInternational Rights Group Calls Out US for Allowing Hospitals to Push Millions Into Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 15, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In a new report, Human Rights Watch urges stronger federal and state action to hold hospitals to account for a medical debt crisis that now burdens more than 100 million Americans.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMany People Living in the ‘Diabetes Belt’ Are Plagued With Medical Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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May 30, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The \u201cDiabetes Belt,\u201d as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comprises 644 mostly Southern counties where diabetes rates are high. Of those counties, KFF Health News and NPR found, more than half also have high levels of medical debt.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiden Administration Issues New Warning About Medical Credit Cards\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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May 4, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Americans paid an estimated $1 billion in deferred interest on medical debt in just three years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports. The agency warns against medical credit cards, which are often pitched right in doctors\u2019 offices.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiden Administration Urged to Take More Aggressive Steps to Relieve Medical Debt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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March 7, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Consumer and patient advocates push for new federal rules to protect Americans from debt collectors and force hospitals to make financial assistance more accessible.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKids\u2019 Mental Health Care Leaves Parents in Debt and in the Shadows\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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October 19, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A youth mental health crisis and a shortage of therapists and other care providers who take insurance are pushing many families into financial ruin. But it’s rarely acknowledged as medical debt.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedical Debt Sunk Her Credit. New Changes From the Credit Reporting Agencies Won\u2019t Help.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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October 6, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

New policies to prevent unpaid medical bills from harming people\u2019s credit scores are on the way. But the concessions made by top credit reporting companies may fall short for those with the largest debt \u2014 especially Black Americans in the South.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter Wiping Out $6.7 Billion in Medical Debt, This Nonprofit Is Just Getting Started\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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August 16, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Nonprofit RIP Medical Debt buys up unpaid hospital bills plaguing low-income patients and frees them from having to pay.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to Get Rid of Medical Debt \u2014 Or Avoid It in the First Place\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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July 1, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Medical bills can add stress to the already stressful experience of dealing with a medical crisis. And if you can\u2019t pay those bills, they can linger, wreaking havoc on your financial goals and credit. Here\u2019s how to protect yourself.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedical Bills Can Shatter Lives. North Carolina May Act to \u2018De-Weaponize\u2019 That Debt.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 21, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Medical debt is most prevalent in the Southeast, where states have not expanded Medicaid and have few consumer protection laws. Now, North Carolina is considering two bills that could change that, making the state a leader in protecting patients from high medical bills.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch: Still Paying Off Bills From Twins’ Birth. The Kids Are 10 Now.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 17, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Marcus and Allyson Ward explain to “CBS Mornings” how the premature birth of their twins left them with $80,000 in medical debt. A new KHN-NPR investigation reveals they are among 100 million people afflicted financially by the U.S. health system.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tM\u00e1s de 100 millones de estadounidenses viven acosados por las deudas m\u00e9dicas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 16, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

La investigaci\u00f3n revela un problema mucho m\u00e1s extendido de lo que se hab\u00eda informado anteriormente. Esto se debe a que gran parte de la deuda que acumulan los pacientes figura como saldos de tarjetas de cr\u00e9dito, pr\u00e9stamos familiares o planes de pago a hospitales y otros proveedores m\u00e9dicos.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDenied Care for a Dangerous Infection Because of Past-Due Bills\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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June 16, 2022<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

One seriously ill Arizona man was denied care because of past-due bills. His only choice was to go to the ER, where he was stuck with thousands of dollars of additional bills he couldn\u2019t pay.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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“Diagnosis: Debt” Featured on CBS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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