Over the past decade, Maryland hospitals filed more than 140,000 lawsuits against patients, to recover unpaid bills. The median amount owed was just $944. Left unpaid, this debt can lead to a lien on a person’s home or car, or even garnished wages. Marceline White, of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, describes the crushing burden of an unpaid hospital bill. This interview originally aired Dec. 21, 2020.

Read the report on Maryland's medical debt lawsuits here.

Today at noon, the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition and other supporters are holding a virtual event. Register here. At 1:30 pm, the House Health & Government Operations Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 565 - The Medical Debt Protection Act. The Senate Finance Committee will take testimony on its version of the bill next week.

Over the past decade, Maryland hospitals filed more than 140,000 lawsuits against patients, to recover unpaid bills. The median amount owed was just $944. Left unpaid, this debt can lead to a lien on a person&rsquo;s home or car, or even garnished wages.&nbsp;Marceline White, of the<a href="https://www.marylandconsumers.org/medical-debt-freedom-fund">&nbsp;Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition</a>, describes the crushing burden of an unpaid hospital bill.&nbsp;This interview originally aired Dec. 21, 2020.
Read the report on Maryland's medical debt lawsuits&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/preying-on-patients">here</a>.
Today at noon, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marylandconsumers.org/">Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition</a>&nbsp;and other supporters are holding a virtual event. Register&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIofuCqrDsiGtVDzutAisr9V47_1EmUQ_j5">here</a>. At 1:30 pm, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIjS1YzZI7ReOE9l3jPHOg">House Health &amp; Government Operations Committee</a>&nbsp;will hold a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0565">House Bill 565 - The Medical Debt Protection Act</a>. The Senate Finance Committee will take testimony on its version of the bill next week.

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

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