I am writing because of the recent Sunday article regarding the unpaid debts to various area hospitals (July 20).

I found that to be interesting and informative, but when I saw the charts reflecting the totals of these debts, I wanted to add an additional fact that was not mentioned in the article. That is, that the numbers mentioned may be highly exaggerated.

I’m specifically referring to the price that the various billings represent.

My husband has been dealing with cancer since last September. I have received many billings from a local hospital. We are covered by Medicare and a supplemental insurance plan.

The surprising thing about these bills is that Medicare/private insurance sometimes and usually discounts as much as three-fourths of the original bill.

So, what are these hospitals actually owed? The ridiculously inflated retail price or the amount they ever legitimately bill or receive for the actual procedures?

There is a problem, but no one should inflate its severity in order to solve it.

Ellie Leight, Poland