ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Tina Marsden depends on electricity to power the heart pump that keeps her alive. But when she fell behind on her utility bill, the city of Griffin cut her power.
As she was being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, a city collections manager called her, demanding payment. The entire conversation was recorded.
Standard utility companies like Georgia Power are required by law to grant extensions for medically-fragile customers, but, city-owned utilities and electric co-ops in Georgia don’t have to follow the same rules. That means millions of Georgians — including those who rely on life-sustaining medical devices — could face disconnection without the extended grace periods other customers receive. In Griffin, the policy gives just one extra day to those who submit medical paperwork…