An article in the most recent edition of ALM's Credit Union Times highlights Epic River growing presence in credit unions and the impact these credit unions can provide a "surprisingly simple solution to disrupt the cycle of inescapable debt."

It seems the forced moratorium on medical bill litigation that accompanied the coronavirus shut down over the spring has ended. Recently, the number of hospitals and patients suing one another has increased. Sick and injured people shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries or paying their bills. On the other hand, healthcare providers not compensated for services may be forced into bankruptcy. At last count, 42 hospitals closed or filed for bankruptcy this year, with more expected in the coming months.

As a medical provider, your number one concern is always that of patient health and safety. So what happens when outdated billing practices make it challenging for a patient to pay off their medical debt or worse, inadvertently prevents them from seeking the care that they need? In June 2017, the CDC reported that nearly 40 percent of Americans between 18 and 64 years old have a high-deductible health insurance plan, and that 15.5 percent of them reported difficulty paying their medical bills. It is an unfortunate fact that many individuals who seek care often can’t afford their out-of-pocket portion of the resulting bills because of these high deductibles.