I, can no longer, watch and listen idly, as a crisis in our state grows. Personally, I know of many people, that are effected by wage garnishment, for past medical debt. Let that sink in. A persons earned wages are eligible for garnishment, for past medical debt, in 36 out of 50 states in this country. During this pandemic, that number only increased to 10 states. So, if at one time you needed medical treatment, and were uninsured or unable to pay, in due time, your earned wages could potentially be garnished.

     Yes, payment plans are an option, but if for some reason you break that arrangement, for example your hours are cut at your employment, and money is tight, once that arrangement is broken, for any reason, your wages are potentially going to be garnished. How is that even a problem the working people of this country are facing? How can our government sit quit comfortably at home in the evenings, while our working Kansans are faced with this crisis in their own homes. It should be unethical to even consider taking money from a working, and  families paycheck, to pay a past medical debt. Families with young children, or dependents in general, have to already stretch their checks to paying bills and high living costs. 75% of a persons taxable income is able to be garnished. That doesn't leave much to live on. So, for those with a garnishment for medical debt already in place, the reality of their payday turns to disgust.

      We need government leaders who have the authority and power, to stop wage garnishment for medical debt at a state level for Kansans. We need a law in place protecting the working people of the sunflower state, so their paychecks are not butchered before they are even cashed. Some adults, that cannot obtain coverage from a parents policy, make to much working for a living to approve for state insurance or simply cannot budget medical insurance for themselves, after all costs are paid for the month. High insurance premiums simply are not able to be budgeted for some working families. These are the people of Kansas that we need to serve with this petition. These people stand to face a crisis if they were to ever need medical treatment and fall on hard times, because once they get back on their feet, hopefully a medical garnishment doesn't catch up to them. Our healthcare system in this country is a joke to some, but to me, its my everyday life. This concerns my family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. This is absolutely a serious matter that needs addressed. Please consider signing my petition, and help me get this crisis addressed by government leaders.