As a retired physician, I’m concerned about Mainers’ access to affordable health care. That’s why I support LD 1955, which will address Maine’s medical debt crisis.

Nearly half of all Mainers have medical debt in their household, and one in three struggled to pay for necessities like groceries or heat within the past two years because of their medical bills. 

I worry about the toll that carrying this debt takes on patients’ health. Financial stress can negatively impact both mental and physical health, as can having to forgo heat or groceries to chip away at debt. 

Medical debt, even the fear of it, leads patients to put off needed care. How can our physicians treat patients if they can’t afford to visit the office?

Maine lawmakers have an opportunity to help address the medical debt crisis and improve access to affordable health care. This bill would expand access to free care services for more Mainers and require hospitals to tell them when they qualify. It also stops unfair bill collection practices. It gives patients a 240-day grace period to pay back debts and requires hospitals to provide fair repayment plans that never exceed three percent of a patient’s income.

These measures would be a huge step forward for affordable health care in our state. This will encourage patients to seek care when they need it, not just when they can afford it. This bill must be passed for the health of Mainers everywhere.

Robert Lawrence lives in Rockport