The top cause of personal bankruptcy is medical debt, and nearly one-third of all people in the U.S. have medical debt they simply cannot pay.  It’s been this way for a long time, and is getting worse month-by-month, year-by-year. Historically, medical inflation is 2 to 3 times the general rate, so the problem compounds over time, while Big Medicine, Big Pharma, and Big Insurance rake in the cash.

The number one driving cause is sky-high hospital prices, followed by prescription drugs.  Both are increasing the fastest within the health care sector. Worsening the problem is the dumbing down of quality health coverage with high deductibles and co-pays. Once a serious illness or injury happens, down the rabbit hole you go.

Medical debt is really emerging as a major national issue that lawmakers cannot ignore. The problem is getting increased media attention, and patients, employers, unions, and advocates are mobilizing to push for action.

The good news is that there are things state governments can do to help mitigate and eliminate this chronic problem. Four years ago, our statewide coalition Health Care for All New York launched the “End Medical Debt” campaign, and it’s been growing bigger and stronger. This campaign has built legislative accomplishments along the way, but there’s still more work to do. We’re proud to be part of its leadership team with other partners across our state.

Looking ahead to 2023, this campaign’s goals are to strengthen New York’s Hospital Financial Assistance Law so that more patients get more help more easily, to stop hospitals from suing lower-income patients, and to reform the State’s distribution of indigent care funding so that safety net hospitals get their fair share of resources from it. Our partners within organized labor are also launching a new effort to limit and moderate hospital prices, particularly those charged by large hospital empires, and we look forward to supporting them in the Coalition for Affordable Hospitals campaign.

Here’s what’s happening this fall that YOU and others can jump into:

• Wed. Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon  – End Medical Debt NYC Community Forum, at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Come tell YOUR story of medical debt to advocate leaders and public officials, learn more about the issue, and find out what else you can do to get our state legislators to take action. Sign up here.
• Every Monday online – “Medical Debt Mondays” social media days of action engage state lawmakers on the issue, and share stories of patients’ experiences to generate public awareness and buzz. People from all across our state are joining in from the comfort and ease of their homes, workplaces, and communities. Here’s a handy social media toolkit.
• Share your own story with the End Medical Debt campaign, to be used with lawmakers and media outlets. Communication professionals will work with you to fine tune it for maximum impact, and anonymity can be provided if desired. More info here.
• Join the “We the Patients” project that brings together individuals to support each other and take action collectively. More info here.

The End Medical Debt campaign will continue to power-up as next year’s state legislative session approaches. Thanks for joining in to help move it forward!