The doctor who sued the couple was Roger Marshall, now a senator from Kansas. Marshall, a Republican who is seeking reelection this fall, filed lawsuits against more than 700 patients with outstanding bills during his decades-long career as an obstetrician-gynecologist, according to a New York Times analysis of Kansas court records. Patients were arrested in 81 of those cases for missing court dates, the record show. In an additional 13 lawsuits, Marshall’s lawyers sought warrants but it is unclear whether an arrest occurred.
They also garnished patients’ paychecks and bank accounts. They routinely charged patients an 18% annual interest rate.
The unpaid bills ranged from several thousand dollars to as little as $101. About half the lawsuits were filed under Marshall’s name and the rest by Heartland Regional OBGYN, the medical practice he solely owned from 1998 to 2012 and then co-owned with another doctor from 2013 to 2019.
Some facing lawsuits were new mothers with outstanding bills from their deliveries. Most lived in Barton County, a rural area with above-average uninsured and poverty rates. Some patients The New York Times spoke with lacked insurance; others had health coverage but were responsible for part of their bill.
“I had every intention to pay, I was just struggling,” said Kellie Clutts, whom Marshall sued in 2015 over a $129 bill. Clutts said the charge was from a postpartum visit shortly after her daughter’s birth.
Marshall sued Clutts when her baby was 9 months old and eventually garnished her bank account.
“I was recently divorced, trying to do everything on my own,” said Clutts, 45. “I told them I could make partial payments, but it seemed like no matter what I said, they wanted the full amount at once.”
Debtor’s prisons. With an added bonus of targeting postpartum women.
A Republican man who is an OBGYN raises so many red flags.
A Republican
man who is an OBGYNraises so many red flags.Entrapping the underprivileged, maybe if they would have been nicer to him, apologised, given him a hug and little kiss he would have shown them mercy, as a good christian.
Bonus points if it turns out he abused teenage girls.
Removed by mod
Children are not responsible for the sins of their fathers.
I love how Lyndsey Clancy lives rent free in your mind.
18 percent interest rate for medical debts?
From a guy who has millions of dollars, and plenty more to blow on running for political office? Jesus that is just evil
Most people just assign to a collection agency and move on. This one is cruel and spiteful.
Title misleading. They were arrested for failure to appear - not FOR the unpaid bills, but still stupid regardless.
Yes but the point is that if not for the lawsuits, they’d never have been arrested.
IANAL but I thought these would be civil cases in which a summary judgement for the plaintiff would be given which would then allow wage garnishment to happen, not arresting. Seems something is missing from the story.
Summary judgment for not showing the first time. Then probably they skipped the debtor’s exam where you figure out if they have means to pay. That’s when the bench warrant is issued. You can’t garnish wages if you don’t even know where they work.
Sometimes I wonder why the cops don’t kick in some doors, and drag the person being sued into court while holding a gun to their head. It’s very effective at ensuring court appearances, and it would’ve foiled the plan of that one guy who chugged a cyanide cocktail in court.
It’s a stupid distinction and you should feel stupid.
I don’t feel stupid. I AM stupid. Thanks for playing.
Local Man Finds Cheat Code to Beat Lawsuits: Ignore Them
Yeah, can you imagine a sick and destitute person not knowing how to navigate the legal system?
I mean, fuck them. Right?
Navigating the legal system: Showing up to small claims court after being served.
You’re a ghoul.
I’ve sued people who owed me money, too. It wasn’t 700 people because I didn’t have 700 owing me money.
You don’t work for free?
How dare you!
Nickel carbonyl, hydrogen fluoride, arsine, beryllium oxide, and ozone work for free. We should fire all the doctors and treat patients with those chemicals instead. No experience required!
Medical care should be free. Therefore, doctors must work for free.
Also, court dates should be optional.
