Despite State Measures, New Yorkers Fear Health Care Over Medical Debt Lawsuits
Recent legislation has sought to rein in medical debt collection. But the bills don’t stop lawsuits in the first place — and some patients decline care out of financial concern.
![Exterior of a hospital with cars and motorcycles parked in front](https://imgproxy.gridwork.co/5wEVY4AM_9dCqIlZqiShKKfeoUNJmik0rQN74rV7pdA/w:820/h:615/rt:fill/g:fp:0.5:0.5/q:90/f:jpg/el:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9zMy51cy1lYXN0LTIuYW1hem9uYXdzLmNvbS9ueXNmb2N1cy9HbGVuc19GYWxsc19Ib3NwaXRhbC5qcGc.jpg)
“I’m currently under care still, but will not go back. Will leave in God’s hand.”
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Russell Gosselin’s letters to the court.
![Russell Gosselin stands on grass with a paved road and a tree branch behind him](https://imgproxy.gridwork.co/fHjoqlxP0tZYBAVUV_PdYjDGYf0JlVAAKhgczAsJvbQ/w:820/h:615/rt:fill/g:fp:0.5:0.5/q:90/el:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9zMy51cy1lYXN0LTIuYW1hem9uYXdzLmNvbS9ueXNmb2N1cy9ydXNzZWxsLWdvc3NlbGluLmpwZw.jpg)
“It is absurd that individuals have to endure severe financial burdens because they get sick.”
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Before Kathy Hochul paused it, the tolling program lost the little labor support it had when the Transport Workers Union withdrew its backing this spring.
More counties are turning to private corporations to run medical care in jails. The companies have deadly track records.
Rebecca Lamorte was let go by her employer in June, prompting the Assembly Speaker to place an upset call to her boss.
Medicare Advantage plans are spreading across upstate New York, despite a reputation for denying care. In Cortland County, retirees kept it at bay.
In rural school districts where doctors are hard to find, in-school telehealth services seemed like a good solution. Then New York state stopped funding them.
Hochul’s proposed Medicaid cuts include $125 million from Health Homes, a program that connects the neediest New Yorkers with medical care, food assistance, and more.