@#4 ... It's almost as if they're intentionally doing everything in their power to punish people who fall on hard times. ...
imo, it is worse than that.
For example, I have not had a physical checkup since 2018.
Why?
Because my doctor's practice (which I had been using for a couple three decades) was bought up by the private euity firm that has been buying up the private practices in the area.
The result, I have found it difficult to find a private practice to use for my annual checkups.
When I called the ~medical center~ the private equity firm which purchased my physician' practice set up, I was placed on hold by the robot that answered the phone. After three minutes on hold, I gave up.
I tried a few times again to call, with the same result.
So, I gave up.
Now I have some medical conditions that should be attended to, but where do I go?
Try to fight some private equity company that views me more as a revenue source than a patient and that seems to have putting a lien on my house as its main goal?
What are my alternatives?