Consumers for Quality Care Speaks Out on Trinitas Medical Center’s Harmful Collection Practices
By Consumers For Quality Care, on April 28, 2021
Consumers for Quality Care Speaks Out on
Trinitas Medical Center’s Harmful Collection Practices
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Contact:
press@consumers4qualitycare.org
WASHINGTON – Recent reporting revealed that Trinitas Medical Center, one of New Jersey’s largest nonprofit hospitals, has continued to sue patients for unpaid medical bills throughout the coronavirus pandemic, which devastated the economy and led to record job loss. The lawsuits, totaling $350,000, were all filed during the public health state of emergency declared by NJ Governor Phil Murphy.
Consumers for Quality Care (CQC) has been working to put a spotlight on these harmful and aggressive collection practices and released the following statement in response to the news:
“Charity hospitals like Trinitas Medical Center enjoy federal and state tax benefits in exchange for providing charity care to patients in their communities. By pursuing predatory lawsuits against vulnerable patients who sought care during a global health crisis and are unable to afford their bills, Trinitas is not keeping up its end of the bargain. Fear of insurmountable medical costs and toxic billing practices cause sick people to avoid seeking treatment, which further damages public health.
“CQC calls on Trinitas Medical Center and other hospitals pursuing predatory collection tactics against consumers to cease immediately. Patients should never have to worry about going bankrupt or a lifetime of medical debt for seeking care at any hospital, and especially not at a nonprofit hospital.”
###
ABOUT
Consumers for Quality Care (CQC) is a coalition of advocates and former policymakers working to provide a voice for patients in the health care debate as they demand better care. CQC is led by a board of directors that includes the Honorable Donna Christensen, physician and former Member of Congress; Jim Manley, former senior advisor to Senators Edward Kennedy and Harry Reid; and Jason Resendez, community advocate and health care strategist.
To learn more about Consumers for Quality Care and the issues consumers are experiencing, visit www.consumers4qualitycare.org