Castle Law Office Blog | Missouri & Illinois Bankruptcy Legal Blog

Illinois Heart Attack Patient Refused Service After Bankruptcy

Because of a glut of unpaid medical bills and three heart attacks, Ron Eaker of Champaign, Illinois was forced to file for bankruptcy. Three years later, their history of money issues led their long-time clinic, Carle Clinic, also in Champaign, Ill., to turn them away and cancel all appointments.

Doctors in private practices are not obligated to see patients by law as emergency room doctors are.

Eaker and his wife declared bankruptcy in 2004 - after three heart attacks and an almost-fatal brain aneurysm in his wife, the couple was over $100,000 in debt and it was the best option for moving their life forward. Eaker used to be a minister and then a nursing home administrator, until his heart attack lost him his job.

Luckily, the couple now has a good health insurance plan and receives care at a nearby clinic.

Even though Eaker did not want to declare bankruptcy, it was the best plan for him and his wife.