State lawmakers on both sides are creating bills to reduce the effect of medical debt on Michigan families.
In Michigan, 700,000 people are struggling with medical debt, even with insurance.
According to the University of Michigan, Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt.
Medical debt can include emergency room visits, surgeries and prescription drugs.
The university says that after traumatic injuries, the number of patients with debt in collections jumped up to 24%, the average debt went up 76%, bankruptcy filings rose 6% within 15 months of a hospital stay, and families are paying for years.
Thousands in Michigan are waiting to see if their doctor is able to take their insurance.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan says 250,000 patients will be impacted if a new deal isn’t reached with the University of Michigan Health.
The deadline is June 30.
Patients with serious conditions, including cancer, diabetes, pregnancies and organ transplants could stay in coverage through September.
Thousands in Michigan are waiting to see if their doctor is able to take their insurance.
Senator Sarah Anthony, representing Lansing, joined Local 4 Live to help us better understand how lawmakers plan to tackle these issues and what’s next.
You can watch the full interview in the video at the beginning of this article.