{
	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/pass-ounce-of-prevention-hospital-financial-assistance-reform?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-pass-ounce-of-prevention-hospital-financial-assistance-reform' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "Citizen Action of New York",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/citizen-action-of-new-york",
	"title": "Pass Ounce of Prevention (Hospital Financial Assistance Reform)",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg",
	"description": "Healthcare is a human right, and getting sick or needing care should not force us into financial hardship. New York’s hospital prices are the highest nationwide; even health insurance-covered patients routinely struggle to pay their hospital bills. Medical debt is especially prevalent in rural and upstate regions of New York. All New York hospitals are nonprofit charities, and each year, New York State distributes $1.13 billion to hospitals to cover the cost of caring for patients who cannot afford their bills. In exchange, hospitals are legally required to offer free or discounted care to uninsured low- and moderate-income patients. However, over the last eight years, New York’s nonprofit hospitals have sued over 53,000 patients for medical debt, in many instances without even offering financial assistance. The Ounce of Prevention is a bill in the state legislature that will make it easier for patients to access hospital financial assistance by: Offering discounted care to patients with incomes up to 600% of the federal poverty level Allowing patients to apply for financial assistance anytime during the collection process. Simplify the application process by eliminating asset tests for low-income patients Require hospitals to determine patients’ eligibility for financial assistance before referring them to debt collectors Patients and advocates have made significant gains in the campaign to #EndMedicalDebt, passing reforms to remove medical debt from credit reports, to stop hospitals from garnishing patients’ wages, putting liens on their homes, and charging unfair facility fees. Passing the Ounce of Prevention Act will be a huge step to protecting patients from hospital bills and preventing medical debt in the first place. When we organize and advocate collectively, we can win a health system that treats healthcare as a right. Take ACTION by telling State Legislators to pass the Ounce of Prevention bill, which will make hospital financial assistance available to more patients.",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/pass-ounce-of-prevention-hospital-financial-assistance-reform"
}