[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I work for the Federal Government now, but in the 70s, I practiced law in Georgia, and did some debt collection work. It is amazing how you can find assets. Most poor people have cars that are worth something, and I have levied on them, houses, and garnisheed wages. Also, I was a Judge of the Small Claims Court for two years, and it only cost $22 for any firm or individual to sue, get a judgment. If the individual ever owns anything in the county where the judgment is recorded, it attaches to the property. Sure, there are “judgment proof” individuals, but it is generally worth it to try to collect. Times must have changed a lot. Also, it may be that garnishment is harder in places like California.

All these deadbeats not paying their bills drives up insurance, and other costs for the people that pay. Something needs to be done here.

[utahagen]

I agree that something needs to be done, which is why I think perhaps the state should mandate that people buy medical insurance. It drives me nuts that people will pay $125 a month for cable TV, but won’t pay that much for their own medical insurance. I’d say that’s their choice and their problem, except that hospitals don’t turn people away and most people don’t pay their medical bills. So, the taxpayer picks up the tab. (The type of people a hospital would bother suing are the responsible types who would never not have medical insurance in the first place.) In Southern California, your chances of getting sued by a hospital are very low and, if you are sued, they will happily cut a deal with you. It’s is, indeed, a big problem.