They have waived more than 6,000 liens since 1998, she said. It's not a matter of burning importance at this time. Typically, hospitals accept what HMOs are willing to pay except when they learn that a patient is getting an insurance settlement. Then they go after more money. The 1939 law wasn't tapped regularly until the 1980s, when managed care started to flourish.
Most states have similar laws.
May said he will bring the bill back next year. They shouldn't profit excessively from their patients' pain and suffering.