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Patients stuck with medical debt, struggle to buy groceries

Posted at 5:49 PM, Oct 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-08 20:44:52-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — There have been days when Felice Bolton can't afford to buy groceries for herself, instead forced to spend her income on the medical debt she's drowning in.

Felice is a 34-year-old EMT who works in Nashville. Last year she made around $25,000 and she has health insurance, but it does little to help her with her mounting medical debt.

In 2017, when there was a gap in her coverage, Felice needed gallbladder surgery and now has a few thousand dollars in medical bills.

"It's overwhelming, it's stressful. I'm just struggling to get through," she said.

If there is a silver lining in the situation she's in, Felice says it's that she can relate to the patients she cares for.

"I understand when they say 'I can't afford this,'" she added.