[2]National Nurses United
According to a new study reported by the New York Times, health care has
officially become the United States’ largest source of debt owed to
collections agencies.^1
[ [link removed] ]^[ [link removed] ][IMG]
The new research found collection agencies held $140 billion in unpaid
medical bills in 2018 — up from an estimated $81 billion in 2016. What’s
more, the amount owed has become increasingly concentrated in states that
chose not to expand their Medicaid programs.
This report demonstrates how astronomical health care costs are continuing
to drive individuals and families past their breaking point, and that it’s
only getting worse. But you can be a part of replacing our current
broken system with a single-payer system that guarantees health care to
all free at the point of service.
[ [link removed] ]Our August 26 Medicare for All strategy call is just days away, and
there’s still time to RSVP. Together, we’ll strategize and plan our
activities this Fall to make Medicare for All a reality. Will you sign up
now to join the call?
[ [link removed] ]RSVP for Aug 26 Strategy Call »
While $140 billion in medical debt owed to collections agencies is a
shocking figure, it does not even capture the full extent of medical debt
in the U.S. The increasing number of lawsuits filed by hospitals to
collect patient debt, as well as medical bills paid by credit cards or on
long-term payment plans, are not included in the report.
Neale Mahoney, a health economist at Stanford University and the lead
author of this new research, says that, “If you think about Americans
getting phone calls, letters and knocks on the door from debt collectors,
more often than not it’s because of the U.S. health care system.”
No one
should have their life savings and financial security ruined because they
got sick or injured. [ [link removed] ]To be a part of our movement for transformative
change, please take a moment and RSVP for our Medicare for All Strategy
call. It’ll take a strong grassroots movement to win Medicare for All, and
we need all hands on deck.
[ [link removed] ]RSVP for Aug 26 Strategy Call »
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday's call!
Jasmine Ruddy
Organizer
Nurses’ Campaign to Win Medicare for All
1 - [ [link removed]'%20Medical%20Debts%20Are%20Bigger%20Than%20Was%20Known%2C%20Totaling%20%24140%20Billion,-A%20new%20study&text=Americans%20owe%20nearly%20twice%20as,Care%20Act's%20Medicaid%20expansion%20program. ]The New York Times
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