Atrium plans to dismiss medical debt lawsuits against patients

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – WBTV’s years-long investigation into medical debt is about to pay off for one Charlotte man and thousands of people stuck with debt from hospital bills they can’t afford. Atrium, now under parent company Advocate Health, recently announced a new medical debt relief policy it claims will wipe away more than 11,500 lawsuits and liens filed against patients in five states, including North Carolina. One of the people ready to benefit from the healthcare conglomerate’s new plan is Terry Belk. WBTV was the first to interview Belk in 2022 when he contacted the station to share his story about the burden of medical debt. WBTV has reported nearly 20 separate stories over the last few years highlighting the toll medical debt takes on patients and their families. Belk has gone on to advocate across North Carolina for medical debt reform. Recently, NBC News also told Belk’s story to a national audience. Belk said he believes sharing his story with WBTV and other news outlets helped push the hospital system to make the change. “They’re getting publicity that they probably really don’t want or need because this thing was going under the radar for a while,” Belk said....