Since these are medical collections, my non-legally binding opinion is they fall under the SOL for written accounts. 15 years in KY, so no waiting them out.
Are they with CAs? If so, I would go ahead and DV them. Either they'll go away and kick the debts back to the OC or they'll press ahead. Either sounds good for you.
If they go away, which is unlikely, that's good for you because OCs, particularly medical OCs, are much, much, much easier to deal with. They aren't hardened creditors. You will likely talk to a nurse, and medical folk by their nature wanna help.
If they press ahead, with more letters and calls and threats, they are at least communicating and it's more likely you can a PFD outta them. A lot of CAs shove you to the backburner if they think they are unlikely to get paid. It's just business.
Do NOT let on that you're planning to buy a home. They will know they can just stand firm, refuse to negotiate, wait you out, and get full payment with no change to the CRA reporting.
