that's not our process. >> reporter: renee russell grew so desperate she wrote letters to the court andedule a new payment plan. it didn't work. >> you were having panic attacks? >> yeah. >> and what would you feel? >> like i'm choking, shortness of breath, choking, hyperventilating. >> reporter: at the end, renee russell was told the hospital would forgive the last $82 of her debt. but two months later, uams reversed the decision and garnished those final dollars from her paycheck. >> what do you take away from all this? >> they're ruthless. they're heartless. >> ed, it's just incredible to watch this, $82 going to 100. does the hospital plan to continue with these lawsuits? >> reporter: well, you know, this lawsuit trend at uams started back in 2019, when the hospital partnered with a new debt collection company. now hospital officials tell us they are exploring partnering with a different company next year. but across the country, public hospitals -- some public hospitals -- have banned or stopped using lawsuits to collect medical debt. and in some states like california, new york, n