The insurance issue is a bit messy to say the least. You don’t have to make big payments though, if you send them $5.00 a month, they cannot refuse it.
Actually I was going to do that but the hospital is being a dick and saying I have to pay it in 6 months, which puts me close to $500 a month and I just cannot afford that. If they give me more like 3 years I could afford that.
Check your state laws, I’d bet that their demand is unreasonable and that you can make minimal monthly payments as long as you keep making them. I would think most states allow this and wouldn’t allow them to come after you for making consistent payments in a good faith effort to clear the bill.