More than 140,000 Massachusetts residents have medical debt partially paid or completely erased through a nonprofit initiative that will eliminate more than $100 million in unpaid health care bills.
Atreus Health Equity Foundation partners with Unpaid Medical Debt and the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association to erase $170 million in unpaid medical debt in the Bay State. Reports The sun.
According to the organizations, letters began arriving in mailboxes around July 7, notifying eligible residents that some or all of their outstanding medical debts would be paid.
This initiative is the largest medical debt cancellation effort ever undertaken in Massachusetts.
Individual debt relief ranges from about $50 to $450,000, and recipients do not need to apply or take any additional steps to obtain forgiveness.
The organizations say they identified eligible residents using financial criteria rather than an application process.
The program primarily targets low- and moderate-income residents in eastern Massachusetts.
Eligibility includes people whose household income is 400% or less of the federal poverty level, which is $63,840 for a single individual or $132,000 for a family of four. The initiative also included people with medical debt equal to at least 5% of their annual income.
About 85% of those receiving relief live in Essex and Middlesex counties, and the average amount of canceled debt is about $1,227.
Dr. Anne Huang, President of the Atreus Foundation for Health Equity, says,
“Our goal at the Foundation is to help close the gap in life expectancy across Eastern Massachusetts, and medical debt is preventing people from getting the care they need. This announcement has a real impact on the patients and families affected, and we hope to expand partnerships to advance the health and well-being of communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts.”
Follow us on X, Facebook and cable
Never miss a beat – Subscribe Get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox
 
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should conduct due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please note that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the purchase or sale of any assets including cryptocurrencies, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.
Generated image: mid-flight
