Medical Debt AI: Lobbyist Is Paid by Both Sides, Has a Card

Transcript of the segment

What BBN said on air. The facts are in the original report: The Guardian.

1. Hank LedgerMedical debt in the US is expected to grow as health cuts take effect this winter, and AI is increasingly listening in exam rooms, coding visits and chasing the bills afterward.

2. Hank LedgerBarnaby Yoshida-Lund lobbies on this issue in Washington, and he joins us live. Barnaby, who exactly do you represent?

3. Barnaby Yoshida-LundHank, I speak on behalf of patients who deserve dignity, and on behalf of my client, the billing software that politely texts them at six in the morning.

4. Hank LedgerThose two clients want opposite things. Which one are you working for this morning?

5. Barnaby Yoshida-LundThis morning I'm working for the patient. Speaking on behalf of my client, the collections algorithm, I can say it is deeply moved by that.

6. Hank LedgerMoved.

7. Barnaby Yoshida-LundIt has a gentle tone setting, Hank. It says 'we understand' before it says 'forty-two days overdue.'

8. Hank LedgerSo a machine takes notes while the doctor examines you, and then the same machine sends you the bill. Where do patients complain?

9. Barnaby Yoshida-LundGreat question.

10. Barnaby Yoshida-LundMy patient group is drafting a strongly worded complaint, and my billing client has agreed to read it, and then to reply to it, automatically.

11. Hank LedgerSo the complaint goes to a robot that works for you, and the robot replies on behalf of you.

12. Barnaby Yoshida-LundWhich is efficiency. Speaking on behalf of my client, the patient, I'd call it a conflict.

13. Barnaby Yoshida-LundSpeaking for my other client, I'd call it a feature.

14. Hank LedgerI want to get to the question I asked. Are you paid by both sides of this?

15. Barnaby Yoshida-LundI'm paid by a coalition, Hank. It has two wings, and I hold a laminated card that explains which wing is which.

16. Hank LedgerYou hold the card up, and there are two business cards stapled to it.

17. Barnaby Yoshida-LundOne is for the hospital's collections vendor. The other is for the people who sue them. Neither knows I'm showing you the other.

18. Hank LedgerBarnaby, thank you for joining us. I score this one a split decision, with the judges seated at both tables.

19. Barnaby Yoshida-LundWonderful. I'll bill this appearance to both sides, Hank, and a small third invoice goes to you for the consultation.