The work of the Local 2020 Health and Wellness Committee, in January of 2021 worked to address the issues of medical debt and medical bankruptcy in Jefferson County. The effort, led by Angela Gyurko and Sherry Jones, along with support by attendees of the Community Healthcare Access (CHA) meetings, received positive feedback from CEO Mike Glenn. The efforts to monitor and mitigate medical collections and bankruptcies is a central issue we track.
From CEO Mike Glenn:
Hi Angela,
Thank you for your note and for your understanding that medical debt collections is a nuanced issue, particularly for a public hospital district. While we have no immediate plans to resume medical debt collections activity, this decision is indeed creating additional financial headwind.
I am very interested in working with the AG and/or our legislation delegation to develop policy that makes this difficult issue more workable for all parties. Count me in.
As part of our Equity work, we are committed to not perpetuating the poverty cycle swirling in community, which likely occurs when a low income patient/family falls through the cracks of our charity care program. This is not only an organizational value but it is a personal value held by the people running this organization.
We are in between CFO’s so I am now reviewing all charity care determinations beyond $10,000. I just signed a letter authorizing 100% write off for a $14,400 medical bill from a family of 3 with an income of $24,600. Seeing our system work like it is supposed to was gratifying, but knowing how this letter would be received and the financial pressure it would relieve warmed my heart.
Thanks again, let me/us know how we can help…and we will do the same.
MG
From: Angela Gyurko >
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2021 11:28 AM
To: Glenn, Mike
Subject: Appreciation for the halt in collections during the covid crisis
Dear Mike —
I was part of a group of activists who worked with Mike Chapman and the Office of the Attorney General to include in legislation in 2019 a change to the amount of paycheck withholding for medical debt to make life easier on those struggling to pay their bills.
With covid making it even more difficult for many people to pay their bills, I greatly appreciate Jefferson Healthcare’s decision to stop sending medical debt off to collections for the duration of the covid crisis.
Several of us are now working again with the Office of the Attorney General to commission a study on the impact of medical debt on rural communities. We are also lobbying our legislators to include money in the state budget to prop up our hospitals during this crisis.
I believe we all are of one mind on this issue. No one wants the poor to suffer. No one wants the hospital to suffer. Somewhere, there is a solution.
Many thanks,
Angela Gyurko
