COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cathy Grace may have to file bankruptcy due to overwhelming medical bills for the second time in 10 years.
Surgery on her back and two hand surgeries, along with two job layoffs have put Grace back in debt. She takes medication for high blood pressure, angina and diabetes.
Sixty-two percent of bankruptcies are caused by medical problems and Grace is part of that statistic.
She is currently unemployed and looking for work. Her daughter had to move in with her to help.
"Personally, it doesn't feel good because I'm a productive person of society and I really want to pay my bills and it just makes it impossible for me to pay my bills and live normally," Grace said.
OhioHealth has a charity care policy for patients who meet income guidelines and hospitals can also reduce what patients owe.
Grace's doctor forgave $12,000 on a $54,000 bill.
Grace said medical care in this country isn't affordable for people with average income.
"If it's not affordable, not to regular people who have regular jobs. If you don't make enough money, what's more important? Your food? Your rent? or paying a medical bill?" Grace said.
She said she thinks the government needs to step in to make sure insurance companies cover more procedures.
Until then, patient advocates say to ask hospitals for help, pursue that help and open the bills in your mail. Information could be inside one of those envelopes to help you pay your bills.
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