In my 22 years of practicing Bankruptcy, nothing could be farther from the truth. True Story: A woman who suffered from a heart attack fifteen years ago had an enormous medical bill. She agreed to pay $150 a month until it was paid off. She lost her job and could no longer pay $150 a month. It was the only debt she had. She had paid $27,000 to the hospital over fifteen years, but had to file for bankruptcy on the remaining debt due to the loss of her job.