Addressing the Crisis of Medical Debt in Kentucky: Advocating for Change and Relief

Title: Kentucky Voices for Health Launches Medical Debt Forgiveness Campaign

As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, many Kentucky families are facing the harsh reality of medical debt. According to recent data, Kentucky ranks tenth in the nation for residents burdened by medical debt, with it being the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the state.

Medical debt is often incurred unexpectedly, leaving individuals and families struggling to pay off mounting expenses. This financial burden can force people to delay or forgo necessary medical care, cut back on essential expenses, or rely on loans and credit cards to make ends meet.

In response to this crisis, Kentucky Voices for Health has launched a medical debt forgiveness campaign during their annual giving drive. The campaign has already made a significant impact, erasing over $1.2 million of medical debt for 1,257 Kentuckians across 113 counties.

Partnering with Undue Medical Debt, the campaign was able to purchase delinquent debt for pennies on the dollar and immediately forgive it, providing much-needed relief to those struggling with medical bills. Notices have been sent out to individuals whose debt has been abolished, with no tax burden or strings attached.

The goal of the campaign is to alleviate the financial burden of medical debt and bring stability to Kentucky families in need. Kentucky Voices for Health is calling on state and federal lawmakers to implement legislative solutions that reduce healthcare costs, provide financial protections for consumers, and prevent medical debt from accumulating in the first place.

The organization believes that no family should have to choose between seeking healthcare and making ends meet. By addressing the root causes of medical debt and advocating for policy change, Kentucky Voices for Health aims to create a more equitable healthcare system that benefits all residents of the state.