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US Politics

Kansas Sen. Marshall releases ad on suing former patients over bills, reportedly defying aides

Democratic opponent Adam Hamilton calls the video "desperate," while it disputes claims that Marshall sued more than 700 former patients over unpaid bills.

7 news outlets reported this
Liberal3 outletsMarshall overrides staff with a dubious closing adCenter2 outletsMarshall's rogue ad and Hamilton's replyConservative2 outletslittle coverage
Published 3 min read
Overview

Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, an obstetrician, has released a video answering attacks over lawsuits he brought against former patients for unpaid medical bills. The Hill reports he did so reportedly against his campaign team's guidance. In the ad, he recalls practicing as a small-town OB doc, "often serving as the only OB in the middle of 40,000 people."

According to the New York Times, as relayed by MS NOW, Marshall arranged his own film crew without the knowledge of at least some top aides. In the 60-second ad, he says he often provided free care and blames a collection agency that his former practice "occasionally" used. The Times also reported that campaign leaders moved to block the ad's release, and that Marshall then began sending it directly to people outside the campaign.

The video disputes claims that he sued more than 700 former patients, including some for debts as low as $101. Kansas Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton called the video "desperate." The Times describes Marshall's re-election bid as surprisingly competitive.

MS NOW adds that a former patient has filed a class-action lawsuit over the high interest rates Marshall charged, and says it is "not entirely clear" whether the ad will reach broadcast stations.

Key figures
  • More than 700 former patients Marshall is claimed to have sued, which his video disputes — The Hill
  • $101 lowest debt among those sued, according to the claims Marshall's video disputes — The Hill
  • 60 seconds length of Marshall's ad, per MS NOW — MS NOW

Three sides of the story

Liberal3 outlets

Marshall overrides staff with a dubious closing ad

MS NOW calls it a "dubious closing message" and builds the story around Marshall overriding his own staff. It cites the New York Times account that he had his own film crew make the ad and that his campaign leaders "moved to block the release" of it. It quotes the Times on his claim that he often gave free care and on his blaming a collection agency.

MS NOW links the ad to what it sees as one of his biggest vulnerabilities: early-September reports that he garnished paychecks and pushed arrest warrants. It adds a class-action lawsuit over his interest rates, questions about residency and campaign finance, and says polls show him struggling, with some putting Hamilton ahead. Its writer calls the race a and argues the campaign team was right to try to stop the ad.

The New York Times headline says Marshall "Goes Rogue" with a video. It calls his bid "surprisingly competitive" and says his team did not agree with his wish to push back.

Center2 outlets

Marshall's rogue ad and Hamilton's reply

The Hill reports that Sen. Roger Marshall released a campaign ad answering attacks on his lawsuits against former patients over medical debt. Marshall reportedly went against his campaign team's guidance, and the ad has him recalling his years as an obstetrician serving small-town patients. A second Hill report says the video disputes claims that he sued more than 700 former patients, and that Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton called it "desperate."

Conservative2 outlets

Little coverage from this side

Outlets on this side gave the story little coverage.

All sources: 9 articles from 7 outlets

Liberal (3)

Center (3)

Conservative (3)

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Senate

The upper chamber of Congress: 100 senators, two per state, elected for six years. It confirms judges and ministers and approves treaties.

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Toss-up

A race so close that either side could win. In election forecasts it is the most uncertain rating.

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