Illinois medical debt program erases $1.4 billion for nearly 700,000 residents

The short version

• Associated Press reports the Illinois program has erased over $1.4 billion in medical debt for nearly 700,000 residents.[Associated Press]
• The state reports spending under $10 million in state funds, surpassing its $1 billion goal by $400 million through a partnership with nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.[Associated Press]
• Residents at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, or with medical debt of at least 5% of income, are eligible without applying.[Associated Press]
• The program was modeled on Cook County's 2022 initiative, whose federal American Rescue Plan funding ends this year, according to Board President Toni Preckwinkle.[Associated Press]

Key facts

• The Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program erased over $1.4 billion in medical debt for nearly 700,000 Illinoisans two years after launch.[Associated Press]
• At launch, the program aimed to eliminate $1 billion in medical debt.[Associated Press]
• The state reports spending less than $10 million in state funds, surpassing its goal by $400 million.[Associated Press]
• The program works through a partnership with nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, which purchases and eliminates qualifying medical debt for low-income residents.[Associated Press]
• Eligibility is limited to residents with household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, or medical debt equal to at least 5% of household income.[Associated Press]
• Residents do not apply; affected households receive letters after their debts have been erased.[Associated Press]
• The statewide program was modeled after Cook County's initiative, launched in 2022, whose federal American Rescue Plan Act funding ends this year.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Illinois medical debt relief program surpasses $1B goal in two yearsAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press