Marshall charged higher interest on bills than other doctors

Key Points:

• U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, formerly an OB-GYN in Great Bend, has faced criticism for suing over 700 former patients for unpaid medical bills and charging an 18% annual interest rate, the highest among about 150 Kansas medical practices reviewed by The Star.
• Court records show Marshall’s legal team frequently sought arrest warrants for patients who missed court appearances, resulting in 81 arrests and wage or bank garnishments, a practice criticized as harsh and potentially predatory, especially toward low-income patients.
• Despite controversy, Marshall champions healthcare pricing transparency legislation, co-sponsoring the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act to require itemized medical bills and prevent collections without clear billing, though the bill remains stalled in the Senate.
• Legal experts question the legality and ethics of Marshall’s 18% interest rate on medical debt, noting Kansas law caps interest at 15% unless otherwise authorized, and some argue patients may not have been properly informed of such high rates beforehand.
• Advocates for patient rights praise Marshall’s transparency efforts but criticize his debt collection methods, highlighting broader issues in medical debt litigation where many patients lack legal representation and face severe consequences, including potential jail time, without counsel.