Resources
Medical Debt Toolkit: My unpaid medical bill was sent to collection
If you don’t pay your medical bill, the provider can sue you for payment or sell your debt to a collection company. If you fail to pay your bills, it can also hurt your credit score. However, some states have laws that prohibit health care providers from using certain collection practices against patients to collect unpaid medical bills.
View this resourcePower to Change: Practical Messaging Guidance for Health Justice Advocates
This messaging guide translates in-depth audience research into practical, usable guidance for advocates, communicators, and organizers working across health justice issues — from maternal health and Medicaid to medical debt and immigrant health.
View this resourceNon-Profit Hospitals and the Medical Debt Crisis in America
Many non-profit hospitals aren’t living up to their promise to community – and it’s having significant impacts on the health and financial security of people. With 4 in 10 adults experiencing health care debt in America, and the majority of individuals who are in debt to hospitals having insurance, it’s clear the problem is widespread and deserves federal action.
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Oral Health Policy Equity Tool
Overview Our oral health advocacy work is focused on creating a more equitable dental delivery system and supporting oral health policies that are grounded in principles of health equity and…
Improving Access to Dental Care: Beyond Reimbursement Rates
The relationship between reimbursement rates and access to care with several additional policy solutions that center equity and community voice.
Guide to Oral Health Data Sources
This resource provides information on oral health data and sources that advocates can use to describe access to care barriers, oral health problems, and disparities, and to make the case…
Closing the Coverage Gap and Making Care Available for Caregivers
We’re in a caregiving crisis. We need more caregivers – and we’re not providing the care they need. Caregivers are doing critical work in our communities and playing key roles…
Preparing to Support Long-Term Services and Supports Needs
Due to the predicted growth in the population eligible for long-term services and supports (LTSS), states continue to explore ways to reduce budget risk, improve the delivery of services, and…
Comments Regarding the Proposed CFPB Rule on Medical Debt and Credit Reports
More than 100 million people in the United States – 41 percent of adults – have unpaid health care bills. While medical debt is widespread, the burden falls disproportionately on…
Building the Power of Family Caregivers in the Movement for Health Justice
Family caregivers are often overlooked and undervalued in our society – we’re working to change that. Every day, millions of people in communities across the country care for their loved…
Improving Health Equity for Dually Eligible Enrollees in Rural Areas
Health plans serving rural service areas confront significant health care delivery challenges, including lack of access to health care, provider workforce shortages, food deserts, poor transportation infrastructure, and inconsistent Internet….
Remarks at the FTC Virtual Hearing on Proposed Rule Prohibiting Junk Fees
On April 24, 2024, Miriam Straus, Senior Policy Analyst at Community Catalyst, testified at the Federal Trade Commission’s virtual hearing on the review of unfair or deceptive fees, commonly known…
Community Catalyst Urges FTC to Rein in Facility Fees
What are facility fees? Facility fees are charges that are aimed at covering operational expenses of hospitals. Facility fees are billed separately from professional fees, which charge for the services…