Generally when it comes to medical debt, it's easier and more doable to lower the payments, than it is to lower the debt. If in the process of doing that you can also lower the amount owed, then that's just a bennie.
In my experience (which is limited on this front) if you talk with those medical professionals or medical institutions face to face if possible and explain your financial situation with documentation to back it up, they will be more than willing to work with you. Especially if they can see that bankruptcy is a real possibility. Medical professionals for the most part are always the first to lose when a client files bankruptcy, and they know that. So if they can see their only choices are lower the payment (and possibly lower the debt owed to) or risk getting nothing if you file bankruptcy, they'll work with you on terms that both parties can agree to.
Bankruptcy needs to be an absolute last resort, because there are no winners when someone does that. For you if you have your own home with mortgage or not, chances are high that's going to be the first thing that goes right after the 2nd car in the driveway.
