STATEWIDE (NETWORK INDIANA) – Indiana ranks 11th highest in the U.S. for the number of people with medical debt. Medical debt and healthcare will be discussed among lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session.

“The cost for procedures, medications, and even regular preventive care activities is really quite staggering,” said Sam Snideman, vice president of government relations at United Way of Central Indiana.

Snideman says there is a “mismatch” between the ability to pay, the ability to have adequate coverage, and the cost of a variety of healthcare related situations.

“Insurers and providers have an opportunity here to help consumers here by providing greater price transparency. There are opportunities for state government and providers to come together and think of better ways to serve those consumers,” said Snideman.

What Snideman thinks everyone needs is better information, better charity care, and better access to coverage. He argues that part of the problem is there are multiple healthcare systems and each agency has its own set of processes.

“If we can get to a place where we can set some level of uniformity in those processes and in those eligibility requirements, then that will go a long way to helping consumers,” said Snideman.

He thinks it is wrong that medical debt gets reported against patients’ credit scores.

Snideman says he has a lot of hope that Governor-elect Mike Braun will make things easier on Hoosiers by collaborating with community partners.