Nonprofits across North Carolina are urging hospitals to help tackle the state's $4 billion in medical debt.

A group of Black nonprofit leaders signed a letter calling on hospital CEOs to support a medical debt relief program spearheaded by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Nicole Dozier, director of the Health Advocacy Project at the North Carolina Justice Center, said relieving medical debt can help improve the health outcomes of people throughout the state.

"People will stop getting care if they cannot keep up with paying their existing debt," she said, "and the way things are now, medical debt does impact people's credit scores, so that impacts people's ability to get housing, vehicles, and to really afford their basic needs."

The program would incentivize hospitals to eliminate all uncollectible medical debt dating back to January 2014 for people with low incomes. It would also implement discounts on bills, automatically enroll patients in financial assistance programs, and prevent hospitals from reporting debts to credit bureaus.

The latest data show that in 2022, 20% of North Carolinians had medical debt in collections; that figure was 25% among communities of color.

Dozier said this initiative is key in creating a level playing field for communities who have faced systematic racism and economic inequality resulting in poor health outcomes.

"The Black community has significantly higher rates of chronic health conditions like heart disease, like HIV, like diabetes, and certain cancers," she said. "We know that attacking health equity will be a direct impact for the whole community, but also the Black community. "

The state health department is partnering with Undue Medical Debt to help hospitals join the medical debt-relief program.


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A new report finds Washingtonians are worried about the rising costs of health care -- in some cases even avoiding treatment because of the price tag.

The survey found 57% of respondents didn't seek medical treatment or modified their prescription drug use in the last year because of cost. One in three Washingtonians reported living in a household with medical debt.

Sam Hatzenbeler is a senior policy associate with the Economic Opportunity Institute, part of the coalition that commissioned the survey.

"The survey results are very alarming," Hatzenbeler stressed. "More than half of respondents said they were forced to use money from their food, heat and housing budgets, deplete all or most of their savings, or struggle to pay for basic necessities in order to pay for health care."

Some 63% of respondents said they couldn't pay -- or would struggle to pay -- an unexpected medical bill of $500. The survey found Black and Latino communities faced greater struggles than white communities when paying health care costs.

The nonprofit group Fair Health Prices Washington teamed up with the national organization United States of Care for the survey.

Bill Kramer, senior health policy advisor for the Purchaser Business Group on Health, said consolidation in the industry has left people and businesses with little bargaining leverage, and added that this is a big issue for small businesses.

"These high prices and rapid premium increases have caused problems of slower business growth, lower business investments. It's harder to recruit and retain employees, it crowds out wages and many small businesses simply can't afford to offer health benefits," he said.

Last week, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner released a report analyzing five policies that could help the state rein in health care costs.

Hatzenbeler described these policies as a potential road map for lawmakers next session. She also noted that 87% of Washingtonians, across party lines, want lawmakers to take action.

"It's time for policymakers to engage with ideas that could really make a difference for people's pocketbooks," she continued.

Aug. 10 marks the two-year anniversary of the "Honoring Our PACT Act" being signed by President Joe Biden.

The PACT Act was designed to expand health care treatment and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances. Two years later, a North Carolina group advocating for the program is evaluating its effects.

Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said it has been pivotal for service members like her, who were exposed to toxic substances.

"During my second deployment, I slept next to a place called Camp Trash Can, and my unit's encampment was there," Jaslow recounted. "That's where we slept every day. And we spent close to 15 months there with burn pit smoke descending on our living quarters, so heavy that it would even get through our air conditioners."

Jaslow's experience mirrors those of many other veterans exposed to burn pits or toxic water, like service members at Camp Lejeune. She pointed out people who struggled to get attention for their medical issues are now receiving lifesaving care and can access preventive services and screenings.

Jaslow noted another significant benefit of the PACT Act is the increased number of veterans entering the Department of Veterans Affairs system, where they can receive care from professionals who understand how military service uniquely impacts their health. While she touted the Act's positive effects, she acknowledged there is more work to do.

"We still need to make sure that like there is no difference when a woman walks into a VA health care center in terms of like getting the adequate support and care that she needs and that our nation wants to give her, than it does male veterans," Jaslow emphasized.

Jaslow underscored the need for proper funding, support and equipment, such as mammogram machines, to enhance the care veterans receive. She added the importance of maintaining a healthy Department of Veterans Affairs workforce to ensure quality care for all veterans.


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This is National Health Center Week, highlighting the dedication of people working in 1,400 Community Health Centers across America - including 260 rural centers in Tennessee.

Some 423,000 Tennesseans receive medical care from Community Health Centers.

Marlita White, CEO of the Hardeman County Community Health Center, said they see patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

She noted that this week is significant, as a chance to show the critical roles the Tennessee clinics play in improving the health and well-being of their communities.

"They do that through a variety of impactful strategies and services," said White. "In many ways, they do it with improving access to care - addressing health disparities, enhancing preventative care, promoting maternal and child health, integrating behavioral health, community engagement."

More than 31 million people across the country - many of whom are uninsured or underinsured - get medical care each year from a Community Health Center.

Some locations also provide dental care and mental health services.

White explained that, in recognition of this week, Hardeman County Community Health Center has planned a variety of activities - each day with a different theme.

"We have something planned each day," said White. "We're going to kick it off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, because we are opening up a women's and children's facility here in Hardeman County. And for the Healthcare for Homeless, we're going to go to a shelter here and provide food for those individuals in that shelter."

White said her Community Health Center serves three rural locations - Hardeman, Chester and Haywood counties.

In 2020, the center received a transportation grant, to provide rides for people to get to their medical appointments.




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