JLW
Diamond Member
- Sep 16, 2012
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You did not quite comprehend what this jurisdiction is doing. Since when does any person have to show up for a “debtor’s exam”. What the hell is that? The law is almost a form of harassment. You have to show up every three months to prove you are too poor to pay your bills. I have never heard of such a thing. It is not reinstitution of debtors prison but it is very close. The court in this case has become chief debtor collector, jury and executioner, I.e. throwing a debtor in jail. It is outrageous.If accurate this is a disgracePeople in the richest country in the history of the world are being thrown into jail for getting sick. That is unconscionable. We must end this crisis. Eliminate all medical debt. Medicare for All now.
Everyone should have health care. Everyone should live in dignity. No exceptions.
"You wouldn't think you'd go to jail over medical bills": County in rural Kansas is jailing people over unpaid medical debt
It's not accurate. The thread title is misleading. Tres Biggs was not not jailed for failure to pay her medical bills. She were jailed for failure to appear in court. The following excerpts are from the OP's link:
“Tres Biggs went to jail for failing to appear in court for unpaid medical bills.”
“In rural Coffeyville, Kansas, where the poverty rate is twice the national average, attorneys like Michael Hassenplug have built successful law practices representing medical providers to collect debt owed by their neighbors.
“I'm just doing my job," Hassenplug said. "They want the money collected, and I'm trying to do my job as best I can by following the law."
“That law was put in place at Hassenplug's own recommendation to the local judge. The attorney uses that law by asking the court to direct people with unpaid medical bills to appear in court every three months and state they are too poor to pay in what is called a "debtors exam."
“If two hearings are missed, the judge issues an arrest warrant for contempt of court. Bail is set at $500.”
CONCLUSION: Tres Biggs was not jailed because she didn't pay her medical bills; instead, she was jailed for TWICE failing to appear in court as directed.