I think that the agreement really reflects what are community standards in our State and would, frankly, be good policy for Congress to look at for the whole country.

I think that's probably because just about everyone needs medical attention at some point in his or her life, so these issues affect all of us.

I understand they knew about your condition, obviously, from your medical records, so they should have been aware that you were in a compromised state.

Shouldn't the people in the call center disclose at the outset that they are debt collectors calling to collect a debt?

I believe that when patients' privacy is violated, everyone is harmed.

I don't understand why they would need access to all their health care information prior to that.

Hospitals have to find a way to collect the money that's owed to them, and I'm sure you'd agree.

I can't express enough the care that I received there, doctors and nurses, coordinators, food service people, housekeeping.

Do you think there's a better way to collect payment from patients than the way you were treated in the hospital?

I think the patient should affirmatively be given that information.

I'm not here to sit as judge or jury. I'm not here to resolve the dispute between Accretive and the attorney general.

American patients deserve better.

I look forward to hearing from our experts about whether we need to strengthen the laws that protect us when we are at our most vulnerable.

I would find it absolutely abhorrent if any patients had been badgered by debt collectors in the emergency room.

In other words, do you think trying to collect from patients while they're in pain in the emergency room is a bad policy?

I'm worried that if patients know they'll be asked for pre-payment of services, that they'll stop going to the emergency room when they're sick.

I'm worried that activities like the ones that have been alleged could bring down the quality of health care that Minnesotans receive.

What's important is how you do it, and when and where.