Bill filed in Congress would erase medical debt, surprise bills for civilian BAMC patients
Thousands of Bexar County families could soon get relief from crushing medical debt thanks to legislation just filed in congress. It would cancel surprise medical bills from Brooke Army Medical Center.
In addition to being a government military hospital, BAMC is a trauma center, and many civilians are rushed there for emergencies.
Often, they end up with tens of thousands of dollars in charges and if their insurance company fails to pay the bill in-full, the federal government takes money from patients’ paychecks, social security and tax refunds.
Jose Martinez has had his tax refunds garnished for years since he was treated in 2009 for a gunshot wound to his face. He was left with a bullet lodged in his neck, and more than $160 thousand dollars in medical debt.
“I'm living check by check, and that tax refund could actually put a little cushion in my bank account so I could be okay," Martinez told us.
Martinez, a manager at Walmart supporting a family of six, wasn't informed of the debt until years later.
We've helped numerous families with similar stories.
As a military hospital BAMC is not in-network with many insurance companies and won't negotiate with them. If BAMC and the insurance company fail to resolve the billing patients are left on the hook.
Patients often don't know about unpaid charges until the U.S. Treasury Department begins garnishing their checks.
Congressman Joaquin Castro has authored a bill, sponsored by Elizabeth Warren in the Senate, that would prevent military hospitals from surprise billing and would even erase prior debt.
“It would be a lifesaver for many individuals and families who've been burdened with debt that they just can't pay off," Castro told News 4.
Castro says BAMC shouldn't have to charge civilian patients because unlike private hospitals, it's a training facility.
“Yes, they're getting care, but they're also doing a favor for the United States government because you literally are being worked on by people who are in training and need that training to take care of our service members," Castro says.
When we contacted BAMC about the bill Friday it sent a statement reading in part: "Until the formal process of updating current regulations and policies is complete, military treatment facilities (i.e. BAMC) are not authorized to waive fees and must follow existing regulations and policies."
Earlier this year Castro authored an amendment allowing BAMC to waive surprise bills which is likely to pass before the end of this year. However, this new bill would go further, and cancel out existing civilian debt.