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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The Future of Tax Reform: Centering Health Justice Priorities
Far too much of the health care industry puts profits above people, with a large assist from the tax code. The unfettered, profit-driven corporate evolution of health care is behind…
A Uniquely American Issue: Medical Debt
Emily Stewart was interviewed on WNYC's The Takeaway about the uniquely American issue of medical debt.
Patient Complaints Are a Crucial Tool for Improving Health Care
Patient complaints are a crucial means of ensuring that patients get value for their insurance coverage. In particular, complaints are one way to document the insurance problems that keep patients…
Case Study: Reform of Hospital Financial Assistance Laws in Colorado
In June 2021, the Colorado General Assembly passed a groundbreaking law to protect hospital patients from the hardships caused by medical debt. This legislation — HB21-1198: Health-care Billing Requirements for…
Case Study: State Campaign to Protect Marylanders from Medical Debt
Medical debt is an issue that threatens the economic stability of Marylanders, especially individuals and families with low income and living in communities of color. According to Urban Institute data,…
Data mining amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court
Amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court regarding the role of data mining in driving illegal promotions of off-label drugs by Community Catalyst, Prescription Access Litigation, Health Care for All…
Prescription Access Litigation Comments on FDA’s notice on Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements
Community Catalyst's PAL coalition and 22 other groups weigh in on FDA's notice on making risks clear, conspicuous and neutral in broadcast drug ads