Bankruptcy, a bill of pain for people with high medical costs

Jim Boggs bankrupt four years ago, having diagnosed and treated for lung cancer. When he started nausea, he went to a low-cost health clinic. Boggs does aufgeschreckt health insurance and was, as he was diagnosed. Upon exposure of a series of tests, surgery and a long-term stay in Fairview University Medical Center, Boggs stayed with a large medical.

“I guess it was $ 104,000,” said Boggs.

Boggs, said he could not afford to pay a bill, the size of its offer of conduct of persons with disabilities and provides medical aid.

He files bankruptcy to Chapter 7 of medicine removed its credit card and other debts.

“It was so much that I am one month. The hospital wanted $ 600 per week. I do not know $ 600 per week,” said Boggs. … I had no choice. I do not know that there are still a lot of money. ”

The bill currently being debated in Congress, it would be much more difficult to Boggs and others to erase their debts. The changes would be necessary to enable consumers to credit, consultancy services and supply of pay stubs, before declaring bankruptcy. Proponents say it will ensure that this power to pay back their debts. But opponents of the bill say consumers, particularly those umreiften high medical costs, are financially ruined.

Steffie Woolhandler, a professor at Harvard Medical School Co-author of a report analysing 1800 families in bankruptcy across the country.

“More than half of bankruptcies by illness or medical bills due and the doctor is a little higher than most people thought,” said Woolhandler.

Woolhandler’s study does Minnesota Special bankruptcy. But if the data are correct and national rates can be applied to the state, about 8800 records for Minnesotans personal bankruptcy in 2004 because medical costs.

“It is quite inappropriate for Congress to punish people because she was sick,” said Woolhandler. “Many people are in a state of bankruptcy, outside their own control.”

Supporters of strengthening legislation on bankruptcy to say that the study of the Harvard-estimation of financial problems due to medical emergencies, seems high, but they do not provide contradictory data.

Scott Talbott, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Financial Services Roundtable, Washington DC, backs the legislation, said his group represents the 100 largest financial services companies in the nation. Talbott, said the bill human goals, recklessly max their credit cards and bankruptcy, they do not have to pay their bills. He says he is concerned that the number of applications takes into personal bankruptcy.

“It’s all about ending injustice and abuse,” said Talbott. “Why should these people be, have the ability to repay can be treated for all its debts, if the rest of Americans are asked to repay them? “

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