Having medical debt to the extent that you feel the need to file for bankruptcy is disheartening. The issue of medical bankruptcy is certainly not unusual in Arizona. It represents real people and real problems, not just a political dispute.

For instance, a 64-year-old man was put into intensive care to recover from an internal infection. The man had previously had a broken neck but was still working and living a full life. He was fine in the hospital. He didn’t realize it, but this infection would cause him to use up his 401k and his savings completely.

One study says that medical expenses account for 62 percent of the bankruptcies in America. Another study says the number is closer to 3 percent. Multiple studies have been done and some of them point to the fact that many citizens of the U.S. who have had major medical debt end up in bankruptcy. The others say that it isn’t a problem for very many people.

There is a fact, however, that everyone agrees on: the American public is having trouble paying their medical bills overall. No matter what political party you belong to, you have to see that there are people out there that are struggling to pay their rent, much less a past due medical bill.

Having an attorney who can help you qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy by taking and passing a Means Test is invaluable at a desperate time like this. Even if you don’t qualify for Chapter 7, you can end the bill collector’s calls with a Chapter 13.

Calling in an attorney who has knowledge about bankruptcy in general, who can answer your questions and who can assist you legally may be a good idea.

Source: Give Forward, “The No-Nonsense Truth About Medical Bankruptcy,” accessed May. 28, 2015