This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
December 2, 2019, marked a significant shift in the way hospitals collect medical debts from patients. Gone are the days when hospitals could assume that patients with jobs and health insurance would pay their bills.
One woman's story exemplifies the new reality. She faced skyrocketing medical costs and was subjected to aggressive debt collection tactics by her hospital.
According to reports, hospitals are increasingly turning to lawsuits to collect debts from patients. This aggressive approach has left many patients feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable.
As one woman shared, 'I never thought I'd be in a situation where I'd have to choose between paying my medical bills or paying my rent.'
Contributing to this shift is the growing number of patients who are unable to pay their medical bills. With the rising cost of healthcare, many patients are finding themselves in a difficult financial situation.
As a result, hospitals are forced to take a more aggressive approach to collecting debts. This includes lawsuits, which can have severe consequences for patients.
The Daily is a production of The New York Times, and this episode was made possible by the contributions of Sarah Kliff and many others.
