"UNC Health Care's data suggest that it must collect most patient fees upfront if it is to collect them at all," according to a story in the Raleigh News & Observer. This is the health system connected to the University of North Carolina. UNC Health Care's CEO, William L. Roper, joined in 2004 with the goal of making the system profitable (it receives five percent of its operating budget from the state).

The system drew criticism the last time it tried to collect upfront payments. UNC Hospitals stopped its practice of placing liens on homes to collect debts that year after a well publicized case.

The legislative session doesn't start until mid-May and the presidential circus will be in town before then. We'll see what happens.