Lucas County: 7,700 to have medical debt forgiven
The Lucas County Commissioners announced last week that 7,700 county residents will have their medical debt forgiven through a partnership with RIP Medical Debt.
Lucas County and the City of Toledo each allocated $800,000 toward the medical debt relief program, which will erase the medical debt of thousands of qualifying residents. RIP Medical Debt is a national nonprofit that uses donated funds to purchase debt portfolios from health care providers, canceling the debt owed by individuals.
"Medical debt can be a terrible burden, no matter what your personal financial situation is," Commissioner Pete Gerken said. "Our nation's health care system is broken. This isn't a perfect solution, but this is one way that we can provide some much-needed relief for our residents. I'm proud that Lucas County was one of the early participants in this initiative."
This round of debt relief will forgive more than $14.6 million in medical debt for 7,717 Lucas County residents after RIP acquired a debt portfolio from ProMedica.
Beneficiaries will receive letters in the coming weeks notifying them of the debt forgiveness.
"This is going to make a real difference in the lives of Lucas County families," Commissioner Lisa A. Sobecki said. "This is an example of the positive impact local government can make when we think creatively and collaboratively."
Commissioner Anita Lopez said the program has more than just financial benefits.
“Abolishing medical debt gives individuals peace of mind so they don't delay or avoid seeking important health care because of fear over what they owe," she said.