Topeka ? Atty. Gen. Phill Kline today announced his office was investigating billing and collection practices of the state’s not-for-profit hospitals.

The probe has been going on since last year and has involved the amount of charges for medical care, hospital contracts with collection agencies, and how those agencies try to collect debts, Kline said.

“Hospitals have a right to be paid for the services that they render,” he said. “But that right does not extend to unconscionable and coercive collection practices.”

Kline has appointed former attorney general Bob Stephan to lead negotiations with not-for-profit hospitals to come up with best practices for billing and collections.

“The plight of the poor, the uninsured and underinsured with regards to medical and hospital care is tragic,” Stephan said. “It’s a living hell for a lot of poor people,” he added.

Stephan said there are approximately 120 not-for-profit hospitals in Kansas. “There aren’t any non-profits that won’t be looked at,” he said.