From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 20s
Illinois erases $1.4 billion in medical debt
Illinois wipes $1.4bn medical debt for 694k residents.
In brief
Illinois wipes $1.4bn medical debt for 694k residents. Illinois erased $1.4 billion in medical debt for 694,000 residents through its Medical Debt Relief Program. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program
Illinois erases $1.4 billion in medical debt for thousands of residents.
Program Impact
The state’s program wiped out an average of $1,200 in debt for 694,000 residents.
State Funding
Illinois allocated $10 million for the program and committed to continued funding.
Return on Investment
Pritzker said every dollar invested relieves one dollar of debt.
Program Goal
The program addresses unaffordable medical debt from unexpected injuries or illnesses.
County Collaboration
Cook County and Illinois programs combined erased $2.4 billion for 1.5 million residents.
Funding Source
Cook County used federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to start the program.
Next Steps
Preckwinkle plans to use data to find root causes of medical debt.
Eligibility
Residents must have income at or below 400% of federal poverty level.
How It Works
Residents receive letters notifying them of debt erased without applying.
Impact in Counties
7% of DuPage County residents, 13% of Kane County, 9% of Lake County had debt erased.
Extreme Cases
One resident had $900,000 in medical debt erased by the program.
What to remember
Illinois erased $1.4 billion in medical debt for 694,000 residents through its Medical Debt Relief Program.
