I served in the military for five years because I love my country. During my time of service, I vowed to fight for the promise of the American Dream. Unfortunately, the American Dream has never felt further out of reach.
After serving all around the world, I am now settled and raising my daughter in Pontiac. We live in the greatest, richest country on Earth, yet I don’t have enough money to cover all of our medical bills or purchase a home.
Four years ago, I felt intense pain in my chest and knew immediately that something was wrong. I rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed and treated for high cholesterol, an affliction that affects nearly 10% of Americans aged 20 and up. At the time, I was worried about my health and being able to take care of my daughter, so I did as the doctors instructed. I did not realize I would also have to worry about thousands of dollars in medical debt.
I’ve done everything right. I have a job, a salary and insurance. By all counts, I represent the typical middle-class Michigan resident. Yet, my medical debt has followed me for years like a dark storm cloud over my head.
Today, I have about $15,000 of medical debt stemming from the treatment I received for high cholesterol. Debt collectors call my house every day, twice a day. They make it so hard to pay off my debt; I’ve asked to make smaller payments, but they ask for a large lump sum payment that I just don’t have. It’s only a matter of time before it affects my credit score.
Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents are in the same situation as me, struggling to free themselves from the clutches of medical debt. Currently, we are dealing with the worst economy we’ve seen in years, where basic necessities like food, gas, rent and even utilities are more expensive. As a single parent, it feels impossible to keep up with rising costs and, at the same time, deal with medical debt.
To put it another way, if politicians really care about affordability, they have to tackle medical debt.
I was happy to see that the Michigan State Senate recently passed legislation, SB 451, which would remove medical debt from credit reports. This legislation is an easy way to reduce the burden medical debt places on me and thousands of other people in our state.
As the next step, the State House should pass this important piece of legislation. While I’m encouraged that the House Committee on Health Policy is considering the bill, Michiganians like me need the House to take swift action and pass medical debt reform.
While the Trump administration has reversed federal efforts to keep medical debt off credit reports, Michigan lawmakers have an opportunity to give a break to working families that are struggling to keep up with higher costs. To be clear, this bill does not make medical debt disappear. It only limits the impact medical debt has on our ability to buy a home, rent an apartment or get a loan.
A medical diagnosis should not be a financial death sentence. Medical debt should not be a barrier to the American Dream. Everyone in a country as rich as the United States should be able to afford healthcare without having to worry about the financial implications.
Going to the hospital or doctor is already a stressful experience. This bill makes a world of difference in the lives of Michiganians like me, and I urge the House to support this bipartisan legislation. By passing SB 451, lawmakers can help lift the dark cloud of medical debt that haunts thousands of Michigan families.
Mathew Payes is a single father and veteran from Pontiac.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan lawmakers must act on medical debt reform | Opinion
Reporting by Mathew Payes / The Detroit News
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