As of 2022 it no longer shows up on your credit report, and the amounts are such incredibly high make-believe numbers ($15,000 for an ER visit in which you don’t even see a doctor), that the uninsured are essentially judgment-proof and those with insurance can just not pay anything past the deductible.
Honestly, if they kept the bills at like $200 it would be may more distressing for the poor. Once the debt is so high it can’t be paid, it becomes meaningless. Owing several times your annual salary is no different than owing nothing at all.
Kinda meaningless now, actually.
As of 2022 it no longer shows up on your credit report, and the amounts are such incredibly high make-believe numbers ($15,000 for an ER visit in which you don’t even see a doctor), that the uninsured are essentially judgment-proof and those with insurance can just not pay anything past the deductible.
Honestly, if they kept the bills at like $200 it would be may more distressing for the poor. Once the debt is so high it can’t be paid, it becomes meaningless. Owing several times your annual salary is no different than owing nothing at all.
In a very perverse way, you are right.