Hi!
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Contact your mother's creditor/hospital authority and find out the total debt amount first. I think it will be better if your mother settles the unpaid bills instead of filing bankruptcy. She can talk to the hospital authority/credit and explain her financial condition to them. They may agree to lower the payoff amount.
Yes, your mother may file bankruptcy. However, she has to pass the means test to qualify for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy. Since, bankruptcy hurts one credit score, so it is advisable to consider it as the last option.