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Working to strengthen community action, promote social change, and improve health, especially for those who are most vulnerable. |
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FEATURED WORK
Report released by TAP and Demos October 2010 Based on data from the 2008 Demos national survey of low- and middle-income households with credit card debt, "Sick and in the Red " illustrates that those who identified out- of- pocket medical expenses as a factor in their outstanding credit card balances had higher balances than those who did not. Americans households hit with medical bills have limited assets or income to cover these often significant costs and too often turn to plastic. Download the Report or Read more... TAP Director Testifies Before Congress, May 12, 2010 at the hearing "Use of Credit Information Beyond Lending: Issues and Reform Proposals" of the House Committee on Financial Services on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. The archived webcast, witness list and prepared testimony can be viewed here. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Innovations Exchange has profiled our Medical Debt Resolution Program The Innovation Profile describes the program's development, results, and lessons learned. Read more... The Access Project is Partnering with a Consortium of Non-Profit Organizations led by the Aspen Institute on an Initiative to Develop an On-Line Asset Platform This platform will serve as a resource for staff at non-profit and social service organizations that provide financial education, coaching and asset development services. It will feature The Access Project's Medical Debt Resolution Program. It is currently under construction, but visitors are welcome. |
THE ACCESS PROJECT (TAP) IN THE PRESS
May 6, 2012 Medical Billing, A World of Hurt: Error-Prone System is Headache for Insurers, Providers, Patients Cleveland Plain Dealer | Link to article | By Sarah Jane Tribble April 25, 2012 Nonprofit Hospitals' Charity Care Policies Draw Criticism in N.C. The Nonprofit Quarterly | Link to article | By Rick Cohen April 25, 2012 Experts: Hospitals Need Scrutiny The Charlotte Observer | Link to article | By Ames Alexander, Karen Garloch and Joseph Neff March 14, 2012 For Uninsured, Tips in Seeking to Reduce a Medical Bill The New York Times | Link to article | By Ann Carrns March 4, 2012 Small, Paid-Off Medical Debt Can Mar Credit, Upend Financing for Unknowing Americans Associated Press | Link to article | By Carla K. Johnson, AP Medical Writer September 12, 2011 Patients Face Mounting Medical Bills in Down Economy The California Report | Link to article | Reporter: Kelley Weiss September 6, 2011 Can Medical Debts Prevent You From Getting a Job? Credit.com | Read article | by Gerri Detweiler August 7, 2011 Charity-care Hospital Regulations Scrutinized The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Read article | by M.B. Pell August 2, 2011 Could a Medical Collection Account Keep You From Getting a Mortgage? Credit.com | Read article | by Gerri Detweiler July 16, 2011 When Your Doctor Sells Credit Cards The Wall Street Journal | Read article | by Jessica Silver-Greenberg July 3, 2011 Hospital CEO Pay Has Some Ill At Ease The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Read article | by M. B. Pell April 20, 2011 Huge Hospital Markups Burden Patients The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Read article | by M. B. Pell March 28, 2011 Injured Patients Discover Hospitals Seeking a Piece of their Accident Settlements Austin American-Statesman | Read article | by Mary Ann Roser March 7, 2011 Medical Credit Cards--Life Saver or Headache King 5 News | Watch Video | Read article | by Jesse Jones, King 5 news |
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Congressional Action on Medical Debt On June 2, 2011, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act of 2011 (HR 2086) was introdued. This bill would require that medical bills of $2,500 or less, which have been paid or settled, be removed from credit reports within 45 days. In late September last year, the US House of Representatives approved the Medical Debt Relief Act of 2009 (HR 3421) on a bipartisan vote of 336 to 82. This legislation addresses the widespread problem of medical debt on credit reports. The Act would require the removal from a consumer's credit report of medical accounts that have been fully paid within 30 days of being settled. The proposal could provide relief to millions of Americans who have had their credit scores lowered due to medical accounts that have been fully paid off yet can remain on a credit report for up to seven years. Read more, including Q & A with lead House sponsor, former Rep. Kilroy... |
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MOVIE RELEASE
Do No Harm, a new documentary produced by Kindling Group, tells the story of a two reluctant whistleblowers in a small Georgia town who endure relentless attacks as they struggle to draw national attention to hospital corruption and the plight of the uninsured. Visit the Do No Harm website |
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