Does Congressman Reed have a conflict of interest?

Dear Editor,

Why do Democrats support the ACA (Affordable Care Act / Obamacare) and the Republicans support the AHCA (American Health Care Act)? If you are among the many citizens trying to understand the difference and to stay informed about how one or the other will affect your own access to health care and health insurance, here is something else to consider.

Hospitals and doctors often use medical debt collection agencies to sue people who are unable to pay their medical bills. Tom Reed’s family owns Resource Recovery LLC, a medical debt collection agency, which can garnish your wages for inability to pay. 

Since the adoption of the ACA, according to Consumer Reports online magazine (May 2, 2017), personal bankruptcies filed as a result of medical debt have declined dramatically. 

If the AHCA becomes law, lower premiums are promised but coverage may be significantly reduced as insurance policies can be sold without outpatient care, hospitalization, maternity / newborn care, mental health services and more. This could increase medical debt once again.

Is there a conflict of interest here for Congressman Reed?

Sincerely,

Kathy McLaren, Laurie Rubin and the Women’s Political Action Group