March 3, 2026JAMA Network Open0 citationsOpen Access

Financial Assistance Policy, Hospital Charity Care, and Medical Debt in Collections

TSTatiane Santos RLRichard C. Lindrooth GYGary J. Young

Key Points

Medical debt in collections decreased as a result of Oregon's financial assistance policy, impacting the population.
Charity care expenditures increased alongside the reduction in medical debt, highlighting the policy's effectiveness.
Cohort study utilized state data to analyze the financial assistance policy's effects on local healthcare outcomes.
Policy implications suggest state efforts may mitigate growing medical debt issues amidst federal changes.

Abstract

In this cohort study, Oregon's FAP was associated with a larger decrease in the percentage of the population with medical debt in collections and larger hospital charity care expenditures. State efforts like that of Oregon's have the potential to alleviate medical debt, especially in light of federal policy changes that are likely to exacerbate the medical debt crisis.

问 AI

Bookmark

View Full Paper