RIP Medical Debt erases millions of dollars in bills for Alabama patients

Millions of Americans are drowning in medical debt. Many make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but earn too little to afford their own health insurance coverage. That sometimes means putting off a visit to the doctor or having things like screening tests for cancer put off.

RIP Medical Debt is working to lift the burden by buying out large chunks of debt from medical providers. The non-profit has paid off $11Billion in medical debt for some seven million people.

The money comes from donations. For every dollar raised one hundred dollars of debt can be wiped out. Patients receive a letter saying their debt is cleared. Fundraisers, many led by churches, target geographical areas.

Eryn Mullins of Sumiton explained she had racked up $4,000 for emergency surgery at a local hospital. It ruined her credit until she could pay it off. She urges the public and lawmakers to consider Medicaid expansion to help workers like herself in industries that don’t offer health insurance coverage. ABC 33/40