New York City has pledged to pay down $2 billion worth of residents’ medical debt, following the example of Cook County, Illinois, the first local government to do so. This was made possible through a partnership with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys and forgives patient debt. Medical debt disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic people and is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy. The initiatives to forgive medical debt draw attention to the issue, prompting conversations about more comprehensive solutions to make health care more affordable and accessible for everyone. These include greater measures for patient financial assistance, eligibility, and prevention of medical debt.
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New York Joins Local Governments in Erasing Billions in Medical Debt
