The problem with dragging it out with payments is then you MUST make those payments every month. Get it over with, pay it off now if you can, then you’re not stuck with the past making ongoing demands on your future.
I’m with you about paying it off, only I’d call to negotiate it down, then get rid of it. With his small salary, I’d want as few monthly payments as possible. And if something major goes wrong that *has* to be paid, I’d rather not have the hospital bill hanging over my head.
Another option would be to negotiate it down, then pay it off over 3 months, not 12 or 24.