To a certain extent, yes. there have been a very few instances of tragedies related to this sort of thing in years past, and I think that most states have passed laws forbidding the termination of essential services during periods of extreme weather and temperature. I don't think, however, that this is something that people with nefarious intent can exploit forever. Long-term nonpayments are investigated and services are terminated when it's clear that no danger or harm will result from it.
This is, of course, completely different from the national scandal that has erupted over the past several years in France where hundreds of elderly people have died in the heat due to neglectful and selfish children off on vacation.
The only difference is the outcome and duration and the fact that the US has so many charities and charitable people that if our Congresscritters quit and all went to Mexico, nobody here would starve in the streets.( like the left says will happen every time a republican gets into office.)
I can't understand why when France is 80% nuclear, they can't provide enough cheap power to keep the old folks in the freezer section.