And it is a shame that those people didn't get the help they needed from the medical establishment in dealing with those bills.
Unfortunately for me I have found myself in a difficult situation for over a year. I took a $7@hr. job a Christmas just to stop the bleeding of my finances. Now I find myself needing major medical surgery...I called the hospital and they can discount the hospital portion by 30% or more depending on my finances(can earn up to 400% above poverty level too). I was smart and stashed away for a rainy day. I can cover this major expense, but if it were open heart surgery...there's no way I'd be able too.
I had carried catastrophic medical, but when I had to use it...they refused to pay it. I fought for over 6 months to get a $5,000 ER bill payed. I finally just gave up and paid the dang thing! Again, from the rainy day fund and cancelled the worthless catastrophic insurance plan.
Those filing bankruptcy didn't stash away for the rainy day whether it is medical bills, or repairs for the car, or replacing the refridgerator etc. Although at the rate I am going I may find myself tapped out on my rainy day fund too.
There are brighter horizons in store for 2006 for myself. Getting through this medical challange right now is just a bump in the road. Or as it was once said...You can take all my money etc. away from and in less than 5 years I'll have it all back again. Or something to that effect. That's the difference between us.
Best of luck in '06! I hope everything turns out OK.
If it comes to that, yours is the perfectly understandable and acceptable situation for bankruptcy. Even so, from reading your post, I'd guess you're the type who would simply file for an extended payment plan...not to stiff your creditors.
As stated here before, the bankruptcy scourge is caused by people who live hand to mouth, never providing for a rainy day. They may say the rainy day is "medical"...but it's really a cumulative result of their poor past decisions.
Congratulations on your attitude. And best wishes for your speedy recovery.
You should contact the State Insurance regulator about the screw job you received. It may be able to help get your money back. Publicize its failure too.