Dear Indy,
Our health care reporter, Mary Claire Molloy, has a story today about how an anonymous donation people are using to pay overdue medical bills has only demonstrated the need for legislation to tackle medical bill reform.
Here’s how her story starts:
For the first time in months, Ronald Brady could buy toilet paper.
In between his shifts as a warehouse worker at Walmart, the 60-year-old brought the rolls back to his home near Fountain Square. He walked past his used Hyundai Sonata, a car he spent years saving up for, only for it to be damaged and nearly stolen in April.
“I prayed for them,” Brady said of the would-be thieves. “I guess for other people, you just go a different route with stealing or whatever you have to do to survive.”
He needed to survive, too. Hospital bills from a hernia surgery and regular blood testing to monitor his high cholesterol left him relying on food pantries. Even with private insurance, medical debt was swallowing his income and creating impossible choices.
“You either buy some food or you pay this bill,” Brady said. “I’m not going without food.”
But then, something miraculous happened: an anonymous donor and the United Way of Central Indiana erased nearly $240 million in medical debt for more than 112,000 Hoosiers like Brady. While the gift eased the burden for some, health care advocates say state lawmakers need to make sweeping changes to medical billing in Indiana. Hospitals here have some of the highest prices in the country.
Still, when Brady’s letter came in mid-June, it was as if God opened the sky and pennies rained down from heaven.
“Even though it was a small amount they paid, it was more weight off my shoulders,” he said. “For what people are going through around here these days, it’s a big help.”
One bill, $193 of his $1,300 burden, was relieved. Brady silently thanked the stranger and prayed the rest would be forgiven, too.
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In other news
- Indiana University is bringing a program called Groups Scholars to its Indianapolis campus to target both first-generation and low-income students. Participating students will take introductory college classes the summer before they start school, learn about careers and connect with classmates and resources like tutoring, counseling and career advising.
- IndyGo is recruiting transit ambassadors and will host a training 6-7:30 p.m. July 30 at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center, 201 E. Washington St. Here’s what you need to know.
- The Warren Township Schools district will partner with the Indiana Immunization Coalition to provide an immunization clinic for school-aged children. The clinic will run from 3-6 p.m. July 17 at the Moorhead Community Resource Center, 8400 E. 10th St.
Today’s weather from WTHR
Rounds of heavy storms this morning and again later this afternoon and evening. Some may be severe. Humid heat continues Wednesday before pleasant air arrives Thursday.
What’s going on around the city
- Thursday, June 18: “Bigfoot Saves The World” will open at IndyFringe, 719 E. St Clair St., at 7:30 p.m. The production follows Bigfoot as he works with the FBI to save the world from fellow-cryptid Mothman. Tickets start at $16.
- Friday, July 19: The Cabaret, 924 N. Pennsylvania St., presents The Alley Sessions with band Jared Michael & Premium Blend and singer Okara Imani at 7 p.m. All tables for this performance have been reserved, but guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and tables.
- Saturday, July 27: Indy’s Global Village, 4233 Lafayette Road, will host a gala to welcome Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha — Indy’s sister city in Nigeria. The Obi is seen as a representative of the people of Onitsha. Tickets for the gala are $40. The evening will kick off at 4 p.m. with music, dancing and delicious food.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- WISH-TV: UIndy grad uses research to bring awareness to language barriers in health care.
- IndyStar: From Colts, Pacers and Unigov, Jim Morris was benevolent wizard behind curtain for Indy, columnist Gregg Doyel writes.
- WFYI: Democrats pick Terry Goodin for lieutenant governor, Destiny Wells for attorney general in November election.
Resources: Sophie Young
Medical bills are expensive, and they can pile up, fast. In June, 112,000 Hoosiers learned their medical debt would be erased because of nonprofits and an anonymous donor.
Many people are still struggling to pay their medical bills. Hospitals and clinics in Indianapolis have programs to help, and, as part of a series of stories, Mirror Indy will share what to know about applying for and receiving that help.
Different hospitals offer different options. First up is Eskenazi Health, where patients can take advantage of two programs: a sliding fee scale at primary care clinics and a financial assistance program for hospital billing.
Follow along as we write about more hospitals in Indy.
- We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Reflections
Medical debt can be crushing and a lot of us have personal stories with it. I feel for anyone who is going through a health care crisis and struggling to stay afloat financially. Hopefully shining a light on the issue the way Mary Claire and Sophie are helps in some way. Look out for more articles from Sophie about how other hospitals handle debt relief in the coming weeks. Hang in there.
Chris
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at chris.sikich@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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