bobk Name and picture from twetch — not on-chain. The signature is; the profile is not.

Email from CommunityCatalyst.org:
Our years-long campaign to end medical debt really ramped up over the summer and just last week, it paid off: the Biden administration announced it is taking action to remove all medical debt from credit scores. This is huge. Now it's time to let the administration know: we support this change!

At Community Catalyst, we fully believe in building the power of people to create a health system rooted in race equity and health justice. From a letter-writing campaign from impacted individuals with medical debt to a day of action in Washington D.C., we’ve been building a people-powered movement urging the Biden administration to act aggressively against the medical debt crisis in America.

We also know power building takes years of strengthening partnerships on the ground, mobilizing communities, cultivating storytellers, and laying the groundwork to connect impacted individuals with policymakers.

Because of this, today’s email is a little longer than usual. But with so much moving, I wanted to provide a full rundown of the real progress we are making together, how we got here, and what comes next. And most importantly, Robert, how you can get involved.
Here's where we started:
Medical debt is a uniquely American issue, and it impacts more than 100 million people in this country — including those with health insurance. Nobody should have to choose between getting essential health care, putting food on the table, or purchasing a home.

But for too many — particularly people with low incomes as well as Black and Latinx communities who face racism, classism, and other oppression — this is a reality.

The driving force behind medical debt is simple: health care is far too expensive in the U.S. and there aren’t enough protections in place for people seeking care. But its effects are far-reaching. All too often, individuals delay or forgo treatment due to cost. Some providers deny treatment because an individual has medical debt or is unable to pay. And for others, damaged or ruined credit after a medical procedure can impact their ability to get a job, a car, or put a roof over their head.

All because they got sick.
Here's what we're doing:
Together, with a growing coalition of more than 70 partner organizations, we’ve outlined a series of executive actions the Biden administration can take to address the medical debt crisis in America. One of those asks was to stop all medical debt from impacting credit scores.
→ This summer, we launched a letter-writing campaign to the arm of government tasked with protecting consumers. Many of you responded! Nearly 11,000 people wrote in from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. urging the administration to act.

Your stories are powerful. And they showed the Biden administration how medical debt impacts so many of us.
What does it cost to stay alive in the U.S.? Watch this video
→ On July 11, we brought these impactful stories to the Capitol for a public hearing on medical billing and collections. While I testified to policymakers about predatory medical billing and collections practices, we also took our message to the streets as part of our #AtWhatCost campaign.
Tweet from Community Catalyst
→ Backed by growing public discourse, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown directly questioned Consumer Financial Protections Bureau director Rohit Chopra on these topics.

→ Earlier this month, we hosted a Medical Debt Day of Action where we were joined by state advocates and impacted people from around the country who shared their stories with policymakers.
Advocates and impacted people gather on the steps of the Capitol to demand the Biden administration takes action to end medical debt
Impacted community members and state advocates gather on the steps outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to Washington, D.C. to demand action to end medical debt
→ Then last Thursday, we celebrated a tremendous victory: the Biden administration announced it is taking action to prevent all medical debt from lowering credit scores! This important milestone came just a week after our Day of Action and demonstrated the power of our collective efforts to make this a reality.
Tweet from Community Catalyst
This is the power of people in action. At Community Catalyst, we believe that creating a health system that works for all of us can only happen when we center the people hurt most by the system.

We still need you with us, Robert: we have a fight ahead, as we work to finalize this policy and as we push for more protections – protections we need like a prohibition on predatory deferred interest credit cards and new protections against unfair practices at some non-profit hospitals.

Are you with us?
Here's what you can do to help:
→ Share your reaction to this news. Record a short video to the Biden administration telling them why this issue matters to you.

→ Know your rights. Knowledge is power — read and share this new guide on medical billing on everything you need to know about how to navigate medical bills and other common charges in health care settings.

→ Fund the fight. Making a one-time or a monthly gift is the most immediate way you can make sure communities across the country are able to gain and keep access to affordable care.
Thank you for being part of this movement, Robert. We’re excited to celebrate this progress with you today, and tomorrow, we’ll return to the fight to end medical debt for all. We couldn’t do this without you.

In solidarity,

Mona Shah
Senior Director of Policy and Strategy
Community Catalyst

 
About Community Catalyst
A Better Health System Begins with Building Community
 
Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for race equity and health justice.
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One Federal Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02110

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Thanks @272, I'm still trying to buy some BSV. Rockwallet says I'm in the wrong region for buys. I live in Montana which is not on the restricted states list. I use Starlink which geolocates to Washington state in many cases. Even Verizon cell data in Montana still put me in a no buy region. I submitted a support ticket with Rockwallet. Will see what they say. I checked briefly on BSV mining. Found out that ASIC was the only realistic way to mine. The machines cost thousands of dollars, take kilowatts of power, and are noisy. Not a good option for me…. Coinbase won't trade BSV. Neither will my Exodus wallet. I have a little BTC.