Segment 1: Even though debtors prisons were outlawed in 1983, the threat of jail is being used to pursue unpaid medical bills.
Debt collectors in many jurisdictions have the ability to determine who is jailed for medical debt. The ProPublica reporter who pursued the story to Coffeyville, Kansas told of the local collection attorney who routinely calls debtors to court, of the presiding magistrate judge who's never taken a law class and of the families struggling to pay health care providers to stay out of jail.
- Lizzie Presser, reports on health and healthcare policy for ProPublica
Segment 2, beginning at 22:13: Financial considerations to think about before enrolling for health insurance.
Medical savings accounts, networks, premiums and deductibles are all important factors to consider when selecting a plan for your medical coverage. Our Smart Money Experts evaluated financial benefits and drawbacks of various options available during the open enrollment period for health insurance.
- Lucas Bucl, director of investment managment for Aspyre Wealth Partners
- David Jackson, financial adviser for Modern Horizons Wealth Advisors
- Molly Gotobed, program director for Community Health Council of Wyandotte County
