Medical debt collector to answer questions on Capitol Hill

“[W]e have been investigating the issues you raised and it is clear that the innuendo and speculation in your report has resulted in significant misinformation,” a lawyer for Accretive, Andrew B. Clubok, wrote in a letter Wednesday to Swanson’s office.

Several House and Senate Democrats, including Rep. Pete Stark (Calif.) and Sen. Al Franken (Minn.), have expressed concerns about the alleged practices.

Hints of a House-side meeting with the company first appeared Wednesday in a letter to Accretive from Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The authors were Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) and ranking member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.).

“We are concerned by the allegations of Accretive’s practices in Minnesota and seek to better understand the extent to which these activities may represent common practice at your company and throughout the industry,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

“We appreciate your willingness to brief us on your practices and ask that you come … prepared to answer questions.”

The letter also asked for a series of documents, including a client list, from Accretive by May 14.

Because the House and Senate remain in recess, it is unlikely that members will attend Friday’s meeting.

The briefing will not include Accretive CEO Mary Tolan, a Democratic aide said.