Overview

• Providence Health System is refunding nearly $21 million in medical bills and erasing $137 million in outstanding debt for tens of thousands of Washington residents.
• The settlement comes ahead of a trial against Providence for violating Washington's charity care law, which mandates hospitals to inform patients about financial aid availability.
• Attorney General Bob Ferguson highlighted the expectation for nonprofit hospitals to provide accessible healthcare, criticizing Providence's failure to meet these standards.
• Under the settlement, Providence will also pay $4.5 million to the attorney general’s office for legal fees and enforcement costs of the charity care law.
• The settlement impacts about 65,000 patients, erasing their debt, and 34,000 will receive refunds, plus 12% interest, for previously paid bills.