OK, so basically once you get reduced to poverty you get some care. Does medicare give you good quality care?
Someone I know recently had cancer in Australia, they are wealthy but don't have private health insurance: so they went through the public system. It seemed like they got care that was just as good to be honest. Just not a private room.
If your income is low enough, you qualify for Medicaid (which is retroactive too so will pay past bills). If you're disabled by the disease and you qualify for Social Security Income you can get covered by Medicare. If neither of those are options, may hospitals provide charity care (where most or all of the bill is forgiven - they often try to get you on Medicaid as well). And if you're truly indigent and on the street, there are hospitals like SF General where you can get care.
I'm not saying that navigating the system is easy or straightforward. But there are options out there.
And bankruptcy laws vary by state, but typically they can't take your home, vehicles or your retirement savings.
Someone I know recently had cancer in Australia, they are wealthy but don't have private health insurance: so they went through the public system. It seemed like they got care that was just as good to be honest. Just not a private room.