My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Washington

I was recommended to come to this site by my boyfriend, hopefully someone can help.

When I got home from college tonight I was served a summons from a Creditor service who has multiple hospital accounts of mine in their service. I know they have multiple accounts because for some reason the same hospital that I've been going to for years has split my accounts and sent them to this creditor service at different times. I owe one balance of $3,000+ ($2,000 of which I legally should not even owe because it was from an Emergency visit that Oregon state should have covered as part of a Crime Victims Compensation.) that has grown to a total of $4,678.01 with the added legal fees. I owe another balance of $460+ which the hospital recently called me over and, since I was unable to make any payments over $50, they sent to the same collection company. The hospital told me that the collection company would be able to take smaller payments that the hospital would not be able to arrange. I have not heard anything from the collection company about the second account.

I lost my job in August and was unemployed for 3 months, when I got a job at a pizza place (so I make enough to pay for gas to get to work and school and food and have nothing left from paycheck to paycheck).

The only date I can see on the summons states 11-11-13, but I only recieved this on 1-21-14, and the summons says I have 20 days to respond. Is this 20 days from my receiving the summons or 20 days from the dated signature of the counsel for the plaintiff? If it is 20 days from the signature I am well past it, and I don't feel that that is correct.

I obviously owe (most if not all) of the debt they are assigning to me, but have no money or assets to pay them with as I am a broke college student trying to finish my degree so I can pay off my student loans. I have no assets other than my car, which I need to get to work and school on a daily basis, and which would hardly make a dent in my debt. From my research online I need to send in a written answer, but I do not know what information I need to include in this 'Answer' nor do I know who I am supposed to send it to.

Thank you,

VictoryGirl