Senator Roger Marshall Rejects Allegations in Lawsuit Report as Political Attack

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, currently in a close Senate race, dismissed accusations against him in a New York Times report regarding numerous lawsuits over missed medical bills. He claimed the report was a politically motivated attack orchestrated by top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Marshall described the report as a ‘hit job’ by leftist media. The New York Times detailed hundreds of lawsuits filed by Marshall’s former OB-GYN practice for unpaid bills, resulting in some patients’ arrests.

Background on the Lawsuits

Marshall, who co-founded the Great Bend Regional Hospital and managed Heartland Regional OB-GYN, was involved in lawsuits against over 700 patients for unpaid bills. The article also reported that some lawsuits ended with 81 patients arrested for missing court dates.

Marshall stated, “I would never want anyone to be arrested over money owed to me or the hospital.” He explained that the collection process was handled by professional companies and followed standard practices in the region.

Standard Procedures

Marshall noted that his practice accepted Medicaid, attracting patients from various locations. He claimed that collection agencies were only involved after nine months to a year of delinquency, and they used the same agencies as other area hospitals and doctors.

“If a person is making regular payment attempts and communicates with us, that’s sufficient,” Marshall emphasized. “Only a small fraction of bills even went to collections, and once there, decisions were out of our hands.”

Political Implications

The allegations emerge as Marshall campaigns for his second Senate term, facing Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton. Hamilton’s campaign criticized Marshall’s alleged authorization of an 18% interest rate on unpaid bills, higher than Kansas’s statutory rate.

Hamilton’s spokesperson, Tyson Brody, accused Marshall of approving warrants and arrests related to outstanding payments. Brody cited examples where patients faced arrest or were pressured to pay bills in full despite financial difficulties.

Marshall’s Defense

Despite the allegations, Marshall defended his integrity and questioned the New York Times’ narrative. At a political event in Dallas, he reiterated confidence in the judicial process, doubting the report’s depiction of events.

Marshall said, “I trust our judges more than what’s described in that article. There had to be other factors at play.”

Amid his campaign, Vice President JD Vance expressed strong support for Marshall, highlighting his alignment with former President Trump’s policies. Marshall remained focused on his duties and service, asserting, “I didn’t have nights off for nearly 30 years and often provided free prenatal care.”