City of New Orleans Health Department’s Post

"Regardless of their party, regardless of their background ... any significant medical procedure can place people into bankruptcy." - Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R) While healthcare remains a divisive issue at the federal level, state lawmakers across party lines are quietly collaborating to address the medical debt crisis affecting millions of Americans. As reported by our friend Noam Levey in a recent KFF Health News article, over 20 states have enacted new laws since 2021 to: + Curb aggressive hospital billing practices + Expand charity care for lower-income patients + Rein in debt collectors This bipartisan effort highlights the universal impact of medical debt on families and the growing recognition that healthcare financial burdens transcend political divides. What are your thoughts on state-level initiatives to tackle medical debt? How can we build on this momentum to create more comprehensive solutions? https://lnkd.in/e3NZjzuc

What if tackling medical debt could set a new standard across the country? North Carolina just pulled off an ambitious plan that could do just that. Governor Roy Cooper and his administration faced significant resistance from hospitals, but in the end, every one of the state's 99 hospitals agreed to wipe out billions in patient debt and adopt new standards to protect patients from crippling bills. This game-changing initiative offers a path for other states to follow, leveraging Medicaid expansion and federal funding to ensure hospitals are truly serving their communities. Could this be the model for addressing medical debt nationwide? Let’s discuss! #HealthcareReform #MedicalDebt #MedicaidExpansion https://lnkd.in/eXe_BXDf

Revolutionizing Healthcare: A Bold Plan for America We explore the alarming link between medical debt and bankruptcy in America. Discover a radical proposal to redirect defense funding to revive public hospitals and ensure affordable care for all, eradicating the fundraising crisis for medical bills. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege! #HealthcareReform #MedicalDebt #PublicHealth #Affordability #HealthCareCrisis #GoFundMe #DefenseBudget #AmericaNeedsChange #AffordableCare #SocialJustice

Billions of dollars have been diverted from health care funding the past 15 years. Prop 35 guarantees that health care funding is spent directly on improving and expanding patient access to care–all without raising taxes. Prop 35 means better health care for all Californians. Learn how #YesOn35 helps at voteyes35.com.

Brilliant new strategy!….All N.C. hospitals ‘voluntarily’ wipe out their medical debt for low/middle income residents. Just wow! Article: https://lnkd.in/gwgjQ7pe ARTICLE NOTES: 1. While some N.C. hospitals have aggressive debt collection processes, taking thousands of patients to court, placing liens on homes, and garnishing tax refunds, the State of N.C. recently asked permission from the fed gov if they could LEVERAGE it’s Medicaid state expansion money to be provided to hospitals ONLY IF the N.C. hospitals agreed to wipe out patient medical debt AND adopt new standards to shield patients. 2. Response: fed gov said yes! 3. Result: all N.C.’s 99 hospitals agreed to the state’s demands. 4. Case Example: the largest system, Atrium Health (part of Advocate Health, a multistate tax-exempt conglomerate that reported more than $31 billion in revenue and $2.2 billion in profit last year), announced that it will cancel the liens it has placed on more than 11,000 homes! MY THOUGHTS: 1. Congrats to N.C. for their multi-year bipartisan effort to crack this nut. 2. As 40 states & D.C. have expanded Medicaid, all may wish to apply to the feds ASAP to leverage Medicaid expansion funds to hospitals in the same manner as N.C. States eligible: https://lnkd.in/ghyB4xeG 2. States may wish include additional leverage criteria to achieve a more functional market, such as 100% compliance with PRICE TRANSPARENCY fed rules, prohibit physician/practitioner NON-COMPETES, SITE NEUTRAL PRICES with a NOT-TO-EXCEED price ceiling, etc. 3. We must, through market and policy strategies, simultaneously increase transparency, increase competition, and decrease price gauging to protect Americans going forward….otherwise millions will be right back in medical debt. Let’s get to it!!

Billions of dollars have been diverted from health care funding the past 15 years. Prop 35 guarantees that health care funding is spent directly on improving and expanding patient access to care–all without raising taxes. Prop 35 means better health care for all Californians. Learn how #YesOn35 helps at voteyes35.com.

Navigating Medicare can be overwhelming, but Pennsylvania has a fantastic resource for anyone Medicare eligible: PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight). This program offers free, unbiased counseling to help individuals understand their Medicare benefits and make informed decisions. #Medicare #Medicarebenefits #counseling #seniorhelp #PAMEDI

Billions of dollars have been diverted from health care funding the past 15 years. Yes on Prop 35 guarantees that health care funding is spent directly on improving and expanding patient access to care–all without raising taxes. Prop 35 means better health care for all Californians. Learn how #YesOn35 helps at voteyes35.com.

Today is National Healthcare Decision Day (NHDD). NHDD is always April 16th, after Tax Day. After getting your taxes done, it's time to review your health care wishes each year. Because only deaths and taxes are certain, as Benjamin Franklin said. Advance care planning is crucial. It is never too early to have conversations in preparation for health care. 📍Plan for the time when you are seriously ill - advance directive, or living will. 📝Think about: your healthcare proxy, health care plan, financial power of attorney 📍Basic estate planning - check out local nonprofits for free legal help. 📝Take action : start conversation, plan, and execute. #NHDD #NationalHealthcareDecisionDay #HealthCareDecisions #advancecareplanning #StartTheConversation #estateplanning

In this month’s blog, we highlight two essential conversations to have with your parents to help your family stay out of court and conflict after a loved one passes on. While talking about money, estate planning, and death are certainly not the most popular dinner table topics, these discussions are crucial for bringing clarity and peace of mind. These conversations go beyond finances to address the emotional aspects of care and personal choice. It also helps keep your parents’ wishes at the heart of future healthcare decisions, rather than leaving big choices in the hands of medical professionals who don't know your parents as well as you do. Read more on this month’s blog. » https://lnkd.in/eczctJii If we can help you organize your family’s assets and understand their wishes and healthcare directives, book a free call wish us » https://lnkd.in/ewCJj2uj PS — Mention this post to schedule a complimentary planning session ($750 value) at no cost to you.