Opinion: Tackling medical debt, a path to equity and health access
Opinion: Tackling medical debt, a path to health access Hartford Courant
sdgtalks
The Impact of Medical Debt on Communities and the Need for Comprehensive Solutions
As an international student, there was an unspoken pact among us, if you ever find yourself in need of medical help, do not call an ambulance—call an Uber. The reason? The fear of getting a medical bill you couldn’t pay, even with student health insurance.
This apprehension stemmed from the unpredictability of hospital costs and how patients often face unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. Many of us found ourselves hesitating to seek medical attention, opting to delay or altogether skip care. Our reluctance was further fueled by the fuzziness surrounding hospital financial assistance or charity care (free or discounted care), and being unaware of the support that may have been available to alleviate the financial burden.
The Impact on Communities and the Need for Solutions
The dread isn’t unique to international students; it is a widespread issue that affects communities across the state – especially people of color and those with lower incomes. Black, Indigenous, Latino/a, and immigrant populations are disproportionately affected by medical debt due to discrimination in employment and education that affect access to health insurance and/or other protections against medical debt. All of which compound existing economic and health inequities.
In Connecticut alone, almost 280,000 individuals are unable to pay hefty medical bills, facing financial ruin within a system that prioritizes profit margins over basic well-being. Medical debt is not merely a financial inconvenience, but a systemic issue rooted in disparities of income, wealth, and access to healthcare. Unlike planned debts, such as mortgages, medical debt often arises unexpectedly from a one-time medical expense like an accident or other medical emergency. Individuals burdened with medical debt face decreased access to credit, increased likelihood of bankruptcy, and the inability to afford basic needs like food or rent. Moreover, they feel compelled to skip needed medical care to avoid incurring additional bills they can’t afford.
The Role of Nonprofit Hospitals and the Lack of Accountability
What’s more troubling is that while the IRS mandates nonprofit hospitals to offer hospital financial assistance, many eligible patients are unaware of these programs. In turn, they face lawsuits or harassment from collection agencies for bills that hospital financial assistance should have covered. In 2020, Connecticut hospitals spent $339 million less on financial assistance and community investments compared to the tax breaks they get as nonprofit hospitals. If they had spent this money on financial assistance, it could have cleared medical debt for 240,612 residents.
The lack of accountability in enforcing financial assistance policies complicates the problem. In the past decade, the IRS has not revoked the nonprofit status of any hospital for noncompliance, leaving a regulatory void that states must fill to protect residents from unnecessary medical debt.
Comprehensive Solutions for Addressing Medical Debt
Addressing medical debt needs comprehensive solutions aimed at breaking the cycle that perpetuates it. Connecticut legislators must take action.
We urge the state and hospitals to work together to ensure that some of the hardest moments in our lives don’t also leave us in dire financial straits. How?
- Simplify the process for patients to learn about and access hospital financial assistance through streamlined applications and robust notification systems.
- Prevent patients from being sent to collections before screening them for financial assistance, and, if they do not qualify, offer a reasonable payment plan.
- Accept alternative documents for patients to verify their income for eligibility determination.
- Hold hospitals accountable for ensuring fair screening processes and ceasing aggressive bill collection practices.
Health Equity Week and the Path Towards Equitable Health Outcomes
The first week of April, recognized in state statute as Health Equity Week, is Connecticut’s annual commitment to eliminating health disparities and creating opportunities for every resident to thrive in good health. This year’s theme “Affording Equity” is aimed towards dismantling financial barriers hindering equitable health outcomes for all residents.
As a community, we must confront the systemic injustices perpetuating medical debt and hindering access to healthcare. Implementing H.B. 5320 would bring us closer to this goal. Looking back on my time as an international student, I wouldn’t have had to compromise my health for financial stability if such support systems had existed.
By rallying behind H.B. 5320, we can forge a path towards a healthcare system where every individual can seek medical care without fear of financial devastation.
Ichchha Pradhan is the Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Health Equity Solutions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection | – Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services – Indicator 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | – Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | – Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the fear of medical bills and the financial burden of medical debt, which affects individuals’ access to healthcare. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article highlights how communities, especially people of color and those with lower incomes, are disproportionately affected by medical debt. This relates to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities within and among countries.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article mentions the lack of accountability in enforcing financial assistance policies for hospitals, leading to unnecessary medical debt. This connects to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection
The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive solutions to address medical debt and ensure access to healthcare without financial devastation. This aligns with Target 3.8, which aims to achieve universal health coverage and provide financial risk protection.
Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
The article highlights how certain populations, such as Black, Indigenous, Latino/a, and immigrant communities, face discrimination in employment and education that affects their access to health insurance and protection against medical debt. This relates to Target 10.2, which focuses on promoting social and economic inclusion for all individuals.
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
The article mentions the lack of accountability in enforcing financial assistance policies for hospitals, leaving a regulatory void that needs to be filled to protect residents from unnecessary medical debt. This connects to Target 16.6, which aims to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards achieving universal health coverage and ensuring access to essential health services for all individuals.
– Indicator 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income
This indicator can be used to measure the financial risk protection provided by the healthcare system and assess the burden of healthcare expenses on households.
– Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability
This indicator can be used to measure progress in reducing inequalities by assessing the proportion of people living below a certain income threshold.
– Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services
This indicator can be used to measure the effectiveness and accountability of institutions in providing public services, including healthcare services.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection | – Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services – Indicator 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | – Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | – Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: courant.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
